A SPECIAL group will be set-up to discuss the future of Christchurch car parks - including the impact of losing a town centre site.

Christchurch council's community committee are due to approve recommendations to establish a working party to discuss town centre car parking at a meeting tonight (9/8).

The council commissioned 2020 Consulting last year to carry out the study into the town centre car parks.

It included a look at future demand, disabled parking provision and the potential redevelopment of the Bargates site and what impact this would have on parking shortfall.

The consultant's were also asked to comment on the possibility of adding another deck on a town centre car park.

Despite the recommendations being given to the council, the report will not be released to the public or press until 'councillors have considered it', a spokesperson for the local authority said.

Lindsay Cass, head of property and engineering said “The consultants who carried out the parking study have produced an interim report, which will be considered by members of the proposed Town Centre Parking Working Party.

“Any changes to future parking provision or management measures recommended by the working party will be consideration by Scrutiny and Policy Overview Committee and Community Committee in November 2017.

“It would not be appropriate to release the consultant’s report before members have had the opportunity to consider it”.

A report to the meeting tonight says a "large number of recommendations" are detailed in the study.

Further consultation will be undertaken if formal proposals are made by the council.