PARKING charges in Northwich are set to be introduced after a borough-wide strategy was approved.

Cheshire West and Chester Council cabinet members were today asked to approve the document, which sets out the council’s parking strategy across the borough over the next 15 years.

The only recommendation from the report – which was produced by Mott MacDonald – that was not backed by the council was a proposal to charge blue badge holders for parking.

The issue of introducing parking charges in Northwich – and the pitfalls of doing so while the regeneration of the town is still ongoing – was a prominent topic of debate during the meeting.

It was revealed that the council has seen a shortfall of £335 million from central government since 2010, until 2020.

Cllr Paul Dolan, cabinet member for adult social care and ward member for Winning and Castle, said the loss was ‘staggering’.

Cllr Dolan – who has previously opposed car parking charges in Northwich – said the council had a ‘moral decision to make’ in light of the huge strain now placed on children and adult care services.

“It would be wholly irresponsible not to look at other means to meet these services,” he said.

Earlier in the meeting, fellow Winning and Castle CWAC councillor, Sam Naylor, addressed the cabinet from the public speakers section.

Cllr Naylor said him supporting parking charges would be akin to a ‘turkey supporting Christmas’.

However, he said over the past few months he has come to terms with the fact that a ‘responsible’ action plan on a car parking strategy for the whole borough was needed.

He supported recommendations that parking charges in Winsford won’t be introduced until regeneration of the town centre is complete, and said the same stance should be taken in regards to Northwich.

He said: “Looking at the recent history, with the gyratory, Memorial Court and Barons Quay, I would estimate about £150 million has been spent in Northwich.

“But believe me, the town is not yet open for business. The majority of the shops in Barons Quay haven’t been let. Weaver Square has not been completed.

“The economic fragility in the town needs to be taken into account.”

Cllr Naylor said no charges should be introduced in the town until at least 55 per cent of the units in Barons Quay have been let.

He also suggested tariffs of 50 pence for two hours and 70 pence for four hours would be fair.

Another public speaker, Cllr Lynn Gibbon, shadow cabinet member for education and skills and ward member for Marbury, said the Barons Quay development is at a ‘critical stage’, and said introducing parking charges now could put the project in 'peril'.

Addressing the concerns, Cllr Karen Shore, cabinet member for environment, said that a ‘sensible and careful’ approach is being taken to Northwich.

Cllr Shore, who has overseen the strategy, said: “I can tell you absolutely assure you we are aware of Northwich going through regeneration and that regeneration is not completed.

“I just want to reassure people we are very mindful of it. We will not ignore cries from residents in Northwich and we have not ignored it.”

Cllr Shore said the strategy was not about making money, but about ‘making best use of our assets against backdrop of austerity’.

“We can no longer afford to subsidise car parking when we have some very vulnerable residents that we have a statutory duty to care for,” she said.

Cllr Louise Gittins, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, said the parking strategy was a ‘long time coming’.

She said praised the ‘comprehensive’ report, but said it was ‘disappointing’ that ‘all of the noise’ has been around car parking.

Cllr Shore said that detailed economic and financial reports will be developed alongside the action plans, which will be produced closer to the times of implementation.

She said further consultations will also take place.