A PARKING firm is seeking permission to continue to use land in Bournemouth town centre as a "temporary" car park.

Brittania Parking received permission to use the site between Exeter Road and Exeter Park Road in November 2019.

BCP Council's planning department rejected the scheme but this was overturned by a government-appointed planning inspector.

This approval was limited to a two-year period and ended on November 12, 2021.

Shortly before this end date, Brittania Parking submitted a new application seeking permission to maintain the car park facility for another two years.

Several residents have filed objections, stating they feel the site is unsafe and unsightly.

A comment submitted on behalf of the management company of Exeter Park Mansions, a block of flats adjacent to the car park, said: "The unsurfaced and unregulated car park is inherently unsafe and unsightly. We strongly object to this permission being granted.

"Visitors parking is not marked or allocated and this results in visitors parking haphazardly, unsafely and to the detriment of the area and it's residents.

"It is not sign posted well and we have witnessed unruly behaviour and visitors also not observing the one way system around the roundabout on Exeter Park Road where cars exit the car park from."

The land, which used to be the home of Punshon Memorial Church before it was demolished, has continued to be used as a car park while BCP Council's planning department considers the application.

A spokeswoman for the local authority said officers were aware of the ongoing use of the site.

"The application has been submitted in an effort to regularise the matter," the spokeswoman said. "If the application is refused, then the matter can be referred to the Council’s enforcement team to consider whether it would be expedient to take enforcement action."

A statement submitted on behalf of Brittania Parking by Ken Parke Planning Consultants said: "The conclusion that a car park on the site would satisfy a likely short term demand for public parking and not conflict with policy until the other public car parks are available still apply.

"The applicants therefore seek planning permission for the continued use of the land as a car park. It is not likely that the Winter Gardens public car park will be available within the next two years. The applicants therefore also seek temporary permission for a further two years."