THE waste-lined state of a prominent Christchurch site has been labelled as a “disgrace” by the town’s deputy mayor.

Areas around the former police station and magistrates’ court buildings are now in a dire condition.

An encampment had been situated on areas of car parking owned by Dorset Police and Dorset Council, however, currently sit empty bar an array of rubbish and mess.

Piles of bin bags, plastic bags, bottles, cans and various other items are currently left across the hardstanding area to the side of the police station.

Sue Bungey, deputy mayor of Christchurch, said: “As far as I am concerned it needs to be cleared up. I think it is a disgrace.

“We are in the middle of the tourist season and we have this site left like this. It is just awful.

“I would like to see them install nice looking secure fencing.

“People have been using the ground there to park for free rather than going to car parks.

“At present, it is such a bad advert for Christchurch and nobody involved with the ownership of the site appears to be doing anything about it.”

Earlier this week, a Dorset Police spokesperson said: “We received a report on Saturday, August 3, of a traveller encampment in the car park of the former Christchurch Police Station site in Barrack Road.

“Officers have attended and liaised with those present. We will continue to monitor the situation to assess whether any further action is required. No enforcement action has been taken at this stage.”

Police did take enforcement action last month over an encampment on their section of the site, which required those on the land to leave by July 10.

This was adhered to, however travellers returned later in the month.

Dorset Council said they were monitoring the situation.

Plans to carry out a major redevelopment of the site, as well as the Pit Site car park, has been submitted by Aster Group.

The scheme, which is currently being considered by BCP Council, includes 131 homes, 39 sheltered accommodation units, commercial spaces and a museum.

Scores of residents submitted objections after an application was submitted to the now abolished Christchurch Borough Council.

A spokesperson from Aster Group said: “We submitted our planning application back in November 2018, which if approved, will see us deliver one of our largest ever land-led schemes on the site of the former magistrates’ court and police station in Bargates, Christchurch.

“We are currently waiting for a decision from the local authority which we hope to receive by the end the of year, at which point, we will purchase the site and take full ownership and responsibility for the land.”

“If our plans are approved, then we will be pressing on with delivering much needed affordable homes that meet the local housing demand and cater for a range of needs, whilst putting the land to good use.”

Following a spate of anti-social behaviour last year, all the windows of the former police station were boarded up as a precaution.

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