PUBLIC concerns have been expressed over the proposed changes to the playing fields on the edge of Winchester.

The city council wants to build a £38 million centre on land at the Garrison Ground at Bar End but the Town Forum heard there was disquiet over the impact on the adjacent King George V fields.

The current three pavilions on both sites will be replaced by one new one.

Janet Berry, a resident of Portal Road, near the fields, and a former city councillor, speaking for the Highcliffe Community Forum, raised concerns about traffic management.

Local residents are worried about the impact of centre users clogging up the Highcliffe estate and also how parking will be managed on the playing fields themselves.

The council proposes 20 ‘grasscrete’ spaces on the grass. Ms Berry asked: “What happens to the over-flow?”

Andy Hickman, head of major projects, said: “We appreciate the concerns that have been raised about traffic. We want the public’s views.

“At the moment parking at KGV is not regulated. We are trying to control it.”

He said the council wanted to see more people using the park and ride on the other side of Bar End Road.

A planning application for the leisure centre, to include a 50m swimming pool, has been submitted on Monday.

Meanwhile the wooden building used by the boxing club will be demolished.

But the town forum last Wednesday heard the boxing club is looking forward to the development.

Emma Back, chief executive of Sport and Leisure Trust campaign group, told the forum: “The club is very excited about the potential for a new home. They are committed to working with the community. They have had successes working with troubled young people and would like to do more of that.”

Meanwhile, the meeting heard that Hillier’s Haven, the new public area at Abbotts Barton, next to Nuns Walk has been shortlisted for a community award from the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

City councillor Rose Burns called for the park at North Walls used for the annual fireworks display to be restored as soon as possible. She said the organisers the Round Table should foot the bill.

Coral Rogers, council officer, said the ground was being restored and the Round Table would foot the bill.

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