LAND held in Purbeck as public open space could be transferred to parish and town councils before the Future Dorset merger takes place.

Members of Purbeck District Council's (PDC) Policy Group are set to debate the land transfer issue, which could mean free car parks and public toilets at Corfe Castle and Studland are among those offered up to the relevant parish and town councils before the creation of Dorset Council in April next year.

Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid has already ruled in favour of creating two new unitary councils in Dorset, to replace the existing nine councils. When Purbeck, West Dorset, North Dorset, East Dorset, Weymouth & Portland and Dorset County Council merge in 2019 all of Purbeck's assets will transfer to this new authority.

Next Wednesday, at PDC's Wareham headquarters, councillors will be asked to agree to the submission of a report approving the public open space proposals - which could ensure local management of a number of sites.

A report on the meeting's agenda explains: "The council owns some small parcels of land, often on housing estates, which are retained as open space. The report proposes that such land is transferred to those parish councils which would like control of this land. It also suggests the transfer of assets which are of local amenity value, including the Manor Road car park in Bere Regis and the toilets in Corfe Castle and Studland, be offered to the appropriate town and parish councils."

Property and land assets required for delivering statutory services and those capable of generating income will be transferred to the new unitary Dorset Council.

The report continued: "Several of the town and parish councils in the district have asked whether the district council would be prepared to transfer ownership of some of the assets (public open space) to them. Specific requests have been received from Corfe Castle Parish Council, Langton Matravers Parish Council and Worth Matravers Parish Council.

"In addition, more general requests have been received from both Swanage and Wareham Town Councils."

Specific requests include the transfer of the West Street car park and public toilets to Corfe Castle Parish Council; the Timson Trust Cottages to Langton Matravers Parish Council; and Begbie Field to Worth Matravers Parish Council.

PDC's Policy Group meets at 7pm on April 18.