More than 1,300 Northwich residents have signed a petition urging the trust to find an alternative location for a new car park.
Campaigners in Northwich have voiced strong opposition to plans by Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to build a 40-space staff car park for Victoria Infirmary on part of Verdin Park, describing the proposal as “just the wrong thing to be doing”.
They contend that the hospital car park plan threatens a valued community green space that has long been part of the town’s heritage.
Verdin Park, which adjoins the infirmary, was gifted to Northwich by salt manufacturer and MP Richard Verdin and is currently owned by Northwich Town Council.
The trust has said the car park would only occupy 2% of the total park area and is “the only viable option” after other potential sites were ruled out for reasons of cost, location and practicality.
Local resident Richard George, who started the petition, said the hospital is “a great asset” to the town but insisted the plan to use parkland is unacceptable. “The park is wonderful. The idea of building on the park is just the wrong thing to be doing,” he said. Mr George expressed concern that the decision could set a dangerous precedent for future developments on public green space.
“They always seem to say it’ll only be a little bit, but what they’ll be doing is setting a precedent. You can’t stop it,” he warned.
Northwich Town Council, which owns Verdin Park, has said it will only lease the exact portion of land specified in the proposal. Councillor Kate Cernik called the move a “compromise” and said the council had established firm boundaries to protect the park’s character. “It’s a balancing act,” she said. “In an ideal world, it would be great if we didn’t have to take a small chunk of the park for a car park – but it’s about checks and balances.” She also confirmed that no trees would be removed and that residents would be able to use the car park for free on weekends. “We’re responsible for everybody in the town – come and work with us, come and look at the plans,” she added.
According to the trust, the hospital car park plan follows an extensive review of ten possible local sites. A multi-storey option was initially explored but deemed too expensive and disruptive during construction. The trust said that, after examining every feasible alternative, Verdin Park remained the only realistic site capable of addressing the ongoing parking shortage.
Russ Favager, a director at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, acknowledged the frustration of local residents but defended the decision. “I understand where people are coming from, but this is really the only viable option we’ve got to solve the car parking issue,” he said. Mr Favager explained that demand for parking at the site has been consistently high, particularly since the opening of a new surgical centre in July, which is expected to treat about 12,000 patients each year.
The trust has stated that all existing parking around the hospital has already been “maximised” as part of its application process. It also said that the new car park would improve staff accessibility and reduce pressure on surrounding streets, which have struggled to accommodate increased traffic linked to the hospital’s expansion.
For many residents, however, the debate reflects a broader concern about the balance between healthcare development and community green spaces. Campaigners have argued that once public land is given up, it is rarely reclaimed. They have also questioned whether further encroachment could follow if the hospital grows in future years.
The trust maintains that the proposal represents the smallest possible impact on Verdin Park while addressing essential operational needs. It has pledged to continue discussions with the council and local community to ensure transparency throughout the process. If the application is approved, construction could begin early next year, with the car park expected to open by next summer.
The dispute over the hospital car park plan highlights a difficult dilemma faced by many local authorities and NHS trusts across the country: how to expand vital public services without eroding community spaces that provide recreation and wellbeing for residents. While both sides agree on the importance of Victoria Infirmary to Northwich, opinions remain divided over whether a portion of Verdin Park should be sacrificed to meet the town’s healthcare needs.
