A LOAN of £1,400,000 is set to be lined up for the purchase of a public car park in Christchurch.

Christchurch Town Council is in the process of acquiring the Bypass car park from BCP Council.

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

At a recent meeting, Christchurch Town Council agreed it would seek the approval of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to apply for a loan of £1,400,000 for the car park’s purchase.

This would be over the borrowing term of 20 years, according to the meeting minutes.

Once the transfer is complete, Christchurch Town Council has plans to lease the car park to Waitrose to “secure the business as a major employer in Christchurch.”