Public path across Christchurch civic centre car park could stop sale, claims Friar’s Cliff Residents Association

A public path which runs across a civic centre car park could stop its impending sale, it has been claimed.

The car park at the former Christchurch Civic Offices, behind Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre closed last month as BCP Council looks to sell the site.

But angry members of Friars Cliff Residents Association say there are “concerns” over a right-of-way crossing in the car park, which could stop the council selling it off.

And a town councillor also said she believed BCP “did not realise” the path existed.

The sale was described by BCP Cllr Mike Cox as “one of the positive steps” it was taking to deliver a balanced budget.

"About £9,000 a month will be saved as a result of selling the building due to its associated running costs, and that money will be used to provide services that benefit all of our residents across BCP,” he added.

“The leisure centre car park is still available and we are looking at potential options for adding extra spaces.”

But Steve Alves, chair of the FCRA said: “We have several members who use the leisure centre and are season tickets holders for the car park.

“Upon receiving notice the car park was to close, we investigated and quickly identified concerns both with car park capacity and an attendant issue with the existing right-of-way, as well as with public access routes bordering and crossing the Christchurch civic centre and attendant car park site.”

He added that there are “genuine, wide-ranging implications for anyone using the public right-of-way footpath and footways that connect Christchurch town centre to Two Riversmeet, Stanpit Marsh and beyond.”

Pointing out the footpath and footways were also part of the national cycling infrastructure, he said these would “likely be blocked by fencing off for construction”.

Mr Alves said FCRA had raised its concerns with BCP at senior level, but “have not yet had an adequate response”.

He said association members were also worried about the car park capacity at the leisure centre if the other spaces are sold, saying it may be in contravention of policies in the draft BCP Local Plan and cause “regular overloading of the remaining car park facilities in the area”.

Mr Alves said there are already times when the car park is congested, and the affected area is also the only place where higher vehicles can park due to height restrictions elsewhere.

Former mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Vic Charratt, told the A&T: My understanding is that this rear car park was included in the sale package for the sale of the old Christchurch civic offices.

“However we believe that BCP did not realise the existing right-of-way over this land.

“Also, as a town council, we regret the loss of any more car parking spaces in the town and believe this car park provides an invaluable service to users of the marina, local businesses, residents, and also to Two Riversmeet.”

But BCP Council said the right-of-way would not affect the sale: “The council has always been aware of the right-of-way that runs across the land and the sale has not halted because of it.”

Mr Alves said FRCA was aware of that position, “but we disagree”.