The Wiltshire cabinet member leading negotiations over the future of St Stephen’s multi-storey car park in Trowbridge has defended the council’s decision, stating they have taken “the right approach.”
At last week’s cabinet meeting, frontbench councillors confirmed their intention to formally transfer the freehold of St Stephen’s car park to the owner of Castle Place Shopping Centre. The financial details of this proposal will be finalized in a forthcoming full council meeting, held behind closed doors on a yet-to-be-announced date.
Following the cabinet’s decision, 11 backbench councillors ‘called in’ the transfer, triggering further examination by the overview and management scrutiny committee. This influential group, which had already reviewed the proposal prior to the cabinet meeting, is scheduled to meet on Thursday, October 16, to conduct additional scrutiny.
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Cllr Helen Belcher, cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and assets, commented on the decision: “We believe the reasoning and context for the decision have been clearly outlined. We welcome the democratic process as it allows us to further explain the challenges we faced, the legal and professional advice we received, and why we stand by our approach.”
The St Stephen’s car park site has been a center of speculation and uncertainty for years. However, the council asserts that clear direction has now been provided with hopes that future developments will bring long-term benefits to both the town and its residents.
The multi-storey car park recently closed temporarily to undergo essential and extensive repairs, including the installation of fabricated steel-back propping recommended by a structural engineer. These repairs aim to ensure the car park can safely reopen by January 2026.
Originally built with a limited design lifespan, the car park requires significant ongoing maintenance to remain functional—costs the council deems prohibitive for the taxpayer. Before deciding to transfer the freehold, the council explored several options including doing nothing, permanent closure, demolition and reconstruction, and challenging existing covenants. None of these alternatives were financially viable.
If the freehold transfer proceeds, it will open the door for private sector redevelopment of the site, potentially reshaping the future of the area.