EMOTIONS continue to run high over the future of a controversial Kendal car park, with claims the consultation process was a sham.

Gareth McKeever, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said failure to consider parking as an option for New Road common land ignored the wishes of hundreds of local people.

“A lot of people feel let down by South Lakeland District Council,” he said.

“I chaired a public meeting at the town hall and 190 people showed up.

“The majority were against changing the use of the site. Yet, these views have been ignored as none of the suggested options include any elements of parking.”

New Road common land has been used as a free car park for years but, as registered common land, parking on the site is actually illegal.

With new legislation meaning SLDC can be prosecuted for breaching these conditions, the authority embarked on a three-week public consultation exercise to determine a future use for the land.

Display boards showing proposals to create a green landscaped space were put up in the town and questionnaires were given out to gather the views of those who live and work in the town.

On the final day of the consultation, Mr McKeever handed an 800-strong petition to retain parking at New Road to Coun Graham Vincent, SLDC cabinet member for economic prosperity.

The petition was signed by many local business people and residents who are happy to see the site improved but reluctant to lose valuable car parking spaces.

“We must not give up,” said Mr McKeever. “We must keep on campaigning.”

Coun Vincent said parking was ‘not an option’ at New Road due to common land legislation but said the authority was addressing the issue within the Kendal Car Parking Study. “No responsible council could allow it to continue and run the very strong risk of being taken to court,” he said. “We are trying to find a long term and sensible solution.”

The proposals tie in with the Kendal Economic Regeneration Action Plan, which hopes to transform Canal Head into a cosmopolitan area with shops and cafes. “To expect people to access a high quality area through a car park is simply not the way any normal authority would conduct its business,” said Coun Vincent.

The results from the consultation are now in the hands of independent market researchers CN Research.

Vickie Caldwell, project manager at SLDC, said she was pleased with the level of public response and was looking forward to receiving the results.

“I hope we have got some really good feedback and lots of ideas for the future of New Road,” she said.

“We expect to receive the findings by the end of August and the report will be presented to council members and made available to the public on September 7.”