CALLS for an overnight parking charge to be changed in Christchurch have been successful.

Owner of the Urban Gym, Manoj Patel, had presented a petition to full council last month calling for changes to the Wick Lane car park charge.

And as a result of his petition, signed by business and residents, the council have agreed to meet with his request.

The council had changed the overnight charge start time to 6.30pm - which was different to the other car parks 7pm start time.

Mr Patel said he had lost custom as a result of the change, and asked the council to consider helping him and other independent businesses.

At a meeting of the council's policy and resources committee last week, members approved the amended start time.

Now, the request will be formally considered as part of the council’s annual car parking review which will take place in the autumn.

However, as a temporary measure, the time will reverted to 7pm from 1 April 2017 until 31 March 2018.

Cllr David Flagg, acting leader of the council, said: “The petition was submitted too late to be considered during the council’s annual car parking review for 2017/18. We have not budgeted for a second consultation process so the decision has been taken to include the request as part of our 2018/19 annual car parking review.

“However, we will be reverting the charge back to 7pm from 1 April 2017 as an interim measure in line with other car parks in Christchurch.

"During the formal consultation process in the autumn there will be an opportunity for people to make representations for and against this before councillors decide whether to make this move permanent."

Cllr Trevor Watts, committee chairman, said: “It is important we listen to the views of small businesses as they are the vital to our local economy. Although the petition was too late for us to consider this year we will consider it next year. We feel this solution meets the needs of all parties.”

To minimise the impact on the Regent Centre and other local premises temporary permits will be issued which people can display alongside a £2 ticket purchased between 6.30-7pm to make their ticket valid until 8am.