5,000 sign up over centre

Community group Action Garstang submitted the petition on December 3 and the council is now in the process of verifying the signatures.

The petition calls for Wyre Council to suspend the sale of the Riverside Car Park and Community Centre located on High Street, Garstang.

Action Garstang believes this would then allow for a proper and full consultation with the residents on the various options that may be available for the future use of the building and the potential loss of essential town centre car parking.

Public outrage has grown over Blackpool developer Keyworker Homes’ proposal to build 34 retirement apartments and retail units on the Garstang Community Centre site. The developer presented its revised plans at a packed Garstang Town Council meeting in September following three public consultation sessions.

The site, which also comprises the riverside car park at the top of High Street, was put up for sale by Wyre Council earlier this year.

And Wyre Council leader Peter Gibson says there are a number of factors that could affect how the petition, which has 5,936 signatures, is dealt with.

He said: “Firstly the signatures must be verified and because there is over 5,000 it will take a little bit of time.

“We are expecting a planning application from Keyworker Homes any day now and depending on what that contains depends on how the petition is dealt with. For example if the application didn’t involve any development of the car park then people who have signed the petition may change their minds.

“Also the cuts made by Lancashire County Council come into it so there’s lots of unknowns to be considered alongside the petition.”