The news is out. 

A multi-storey car park in the Waterloo at the behest of the mayor, Mark Harris. 

He has always wanted this, in fact his instructions to the so called team of experts engaged to consider the town’s needs in this respect were to directly consider the Waterloo in preference although the Forum was an unlikely option as this has only recently been updated at large expense.

I am appalled at the prospect of being next door to this ‘Harris horror’, as I am sure some 50 other households in the Waterloo and Corinium Gate must also be.

These ‘experts’ refuse to consider the Old Memorial site for the purpose, why? Because long term they propose housing for that site.

Over the last 30 years, the council has repeatedly allowed car parking opportunities to be used for other purposes. For example, the Old Cattle Market and the cinema site in Lewis Lane.

Where McCarthy and Stone are building would have been ideal as a car park, and of course St James’s Place expansion has eaten up another central opportunity.

A multi-storey in the Waterloo will not enhance the area, whoever heard of an attractive multi-storey car park?

I may be biased against the scheme but undue bias has been employed in reaching the decision.

MICHAEL GOSS
Cirencester