CHRISTCHURCH Town Council has been granted a lone to purchase the Bypass car park.

James Atkinson, acting town clerk, is hopeful that the sale will be completed ‘this side of Christmas’.

The car park, near Waitrose, was first agreed for sale at a BCP Council meeting in September 2023.

Its ownership is in the process of being transferred from BCP Council to Christchurch Town Council, with the town council having applied for a loan to purchase it.

According to the agenda for the upcoming full council meeting on November 18, Mr Atkinson will tell members that the loan application has now been approved by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Item ‘town clerk update’ reads: “I will continue to keep members informed as we progress towards the successful acquisition of the Bypass car park, hopefully this side of Christmas.”