TRADERS in Christchurch say they welcome civic proposals to replace the planned loss of spaces at a busy town centre car park, but wish that more parking bays could be created.

The town's Chamber of Trade says that local businesses have been pushing the council for some time to create additional spaces in Christchurch so they can compete with shopping areas in other parts of the conurbation where free parking is available in abundance.

Council chiefs have already pledged that no parking spaces will be lost if a controversial social housing development goes ahead on part of the existing Wick Lane car park.

A planning application has now been submitted by the Civic Offices to dig up a garden at the rear of Wick Lane and create the parking bays, which would be lost under the Western Challenge housing development at the front of the car park.

The council says it has brought the back garden land at 13 Wick Lane, and wants permission to convert this into car park.

"The proposed extension to Wick Lane car park will be surfaced to the same standard as the existing car park," says the planning application, which will be used by borough planners when they make their decision at committee.

"The proposed layout provides standard size car parking bays, standard size wheelchair accessible bays and access ways of sufficient width for ease of use.

"To provide a sufficient number of spaces to replace those lost within the development area, a one-way circulation route has been decided."

A new entrance to the car park would also be created in Regent Way.

Nicky Sale, president of the chamber of trade, said: "We have always been pushing for extra spaces because it is a shopping car park and we'd like to see a higher shopper turnover there.

"We are pleased that the council has promised to replace the lost spaces but would have liked to have seen more created.

"Businesses in Christchurch cannot afford to lose more spaces."