Cheshire East provide response to Crewe Lyceum Square car park closure
By Ryan Parker
4th May 2022 | Local News
Cheshire East Council has provided Crewe Nub News with an update on a town centre car park closure - following complaints from a number of local residents.
Crewe Lyceum Square car park, off Heath Street, has been closed for over 18-months, since the summer of 2020, frustrating residents.
The car park is planned to become an entertainment and events space titled 'LY2,' the development idea was unveiled in 2021.
LY2 is yet to be approved by Cheshire East Council. An application was submitted in September 2021.
The council deemed the loss of Lyceum Square for this development 'acceptable' in January this year.
In April, local residents offered their opinions to Nub News about the permanent loss of the car park and the parking fines that have been handed out.
Former House Manager for Crewe Lyceum Theatre, David Owen told Nub News: "The lyceum car park was always well used and generated a great deal of money.
"It provided convenient parking for theatre patrons and has been closed for such a long time without any work being done.
"A complete waste of taxpayers money."
Tracey Cooke from Nantwich, added: Why is the car park by the theatre closed and everything surrounded by barriers? Been like that for months.
"The car park under the old library is dreadful. Nowhere to park for the new Market Hall."
Cheshire East Council has today (May 4), responded to Crewe Nub News - following these frustrations.
Councillor Nick Mannion, chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, said: "The vision for Ly2 is for a new high-quality outdoor events and performance space, with public art commissions, and an enhanced lighting scheme delivering an attractive and much improved town centre environment.
"It is a transformational scheme, which will focus on Lyceum Square and its adjoining areas in Crewe's town centre.
"The scheme is subject to a live planning application and, once a decision has been made, we will be able to provide further information."
The £750,000 project first proposed in September 2021, will include a new events stage and integrated digital screen.
Cllr Mannion added: "Crewe is well served by a number of car parks, all of which are listed on the council's website.
"The permanent closure of the Lyceum Square car park to enable the delivery of the Ly2 project was subject to a separate consultation recently.
"It is important to make clear that any decision following this, is subject to the separate planning decision being made for the use of the square itself.
"The disabled bays on Lyceum Square do still remain available to blue badge holders and it is intended that they would remain accessible during any works.
"As part of the Ly2 project proposals, these parking bays would be relocated towards the edge of the square to fit in with the new vision of the space as an events hub."
Back in September 2021, a Cheshire East Council spokesperson said that LY2 would be completed "as soon as possible."
The last date for submitting comments on the planning application was October 20.
Crewe Nub News will keep Crewe updated with any developments for this scheme.
READ MORE: Cheshire East Council backs Crewe parish governance changes after 'wrecking amendment' fails.
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