MORE than £50,000 was paid to the consultants who came up with plans to improve Christchurch town centre.

A Freedom of Information request has confirmed that Christchurch council paid £49,000 plus VAT to London-based consultants Barr Gazetas and associated sub-contractors for their work on the town centre strategy.

Their suggested improvements include the creation of a ‘heritage triangle’ linking historic sites such as the Priory, Castle ruins and Constable’s House.

Other proposals are free wifi in the town centre, improved shop fronts and new street furniture.

In response to a Freedom of Information request, Christchurch council confirmed the payment to Barr Gazetas for the Growth Plan, which they said was drawn from the total Growth Budget of £200,000.

They also confirmed that Hardisty Jones was paid £15,240 to carry out a socio economic assessment of Christchurch and East Dorset in preparation of the Growth Plan – a bill that was shared equally between both councils.

Hardisty Jones was also paid £3,341 to prepare a submission to government for the Coastal Communities Fund relating specifically to Christchurch.

Independent councillor Colin Bungey said: “I’m still concerned that only two members out of 24 were involved in the selection process and in developing the brief for the consultants. I’m also concerned that a London consultant was used and from some of the answers given to residents it was fairly obvious they hadn’t done a lot of homework on Christchurch.”

But Nick James, economic development manager at Christchurch council, said: “The consultants have carried out a substantial amount of work looking at options for the future of the town centre so we consider we have achieved good value for money.

“The consultants from London were chosen as they came up with the best proposal and were also the best value of the submissions received.

“They come with wide experience of town planning in other similar towns throughout the country. No local applications were received to carry out the work.”