PLANS to market a former candle factory in Christchurch will be discussed by councillors next week.

Members of Christchurch council's resources committee will be asked to approve the marketing of the former Candle Factory site in Bank Close at their meeting on Wednesday (30/8).

It follows a meeting in June where members turned down a recommendation to develop and submit a planning application for residential development.

Instead they asked for the asset management committee to consider it further, with their findings being brought back to the meeting on Wednesday.

Comprised of two buildings used previously as a Post Office sorting office, a storage area for Southern Electric and a candle factory, the site has most recently been used as a storage facility.

The report to the committee in June said the site "represents an opportunity which the council could, if it wishes, seek to benefit from."

And although the town centre strategy suggests a cafe or shop, the condition of the buildings would make this difficult, the report said.

Officers presented plans for housing, with a proposal for two two-bedroom houses unveiled at the meeting.

It would have meant the loss of seven car parking bays.

At Wednesday's committee, members will be asked to consider the terms of marketing and approve.

They include no loss or changes to the car parking provision and layout and that any offers received will be subject to intense scrutiny considering the price offered, deliverability, contribution to the High Street gateway and other factors.