A RESIDENT’S association has warned against the “short sighted and damaging” sale of a beachside car park. 

Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs Residents Association has expressed its “vehement opposition” to BCP Council’s proposed sale of Beach Road Car Park in Canford Cliffs, Poole. 

Councillors will vote on the proposed sale of the “valuable asset” at a full council meeting next week, February 20. 

The resident's association has said losing more than 300 parking spaces would have a “devastating impact” on the area, arguing it is used by lots of residents and tourists especially in the summer. 

Bournemouth Echo: The Beach Road car park in Canford Cliffs which has just been vacated by travellers leaving various piles of earth, rubble, tarmac and an abandoned and vandalised caravan..

Association chairman Peter Schroeder said: “The council claims that this car park is underused; this is the result of years of neglect, making it less attractive to use. 

“It is a false argument to consider it surplus land.” 

Residents fear that the loss of spaces from the sale of the south section of the car park would lead to increased congestion and “parking chaos” for residents. 

He added: “With limited parking options, many visitors, especially those with families, will be deterred from visiting the area, with a negative economic impact on local businesses, potentially exacerbating the council’s financial woes.  

“The recent arrival of Rockwater in September 2023 and the popularity of sea swimming has seen an influx of visitors to Branksome Beach during otherwise quieter winter months.”

Bournemouth Echo: Beach Road car park, Canford Cliffs

The site, currently closed, has been earmarked to be sold for almost a decade however no formal arrangement has yet happened. 

It’s expected the land will subsequently be used for more luxury flats. 

A report says the car park has around 316 spaces, however, many are not compliant with parking standards. Others cannot be used due to landslips, tree encroachment and surface breakage. 

Summarising the financial implications, it added: “The gross income for the whole car park has fluctuated between 2013 to 2022, although it has increased during and since the pandemic.  

“The average of the gross income over the last ten years was £25,500 per annum. This equates to £80.70 per space (including non-compliant spaces). 

“On the face of it, the income for the loss of 144 spaces (including non-compliant spaces) would equate to £11,600 per annum.” 

Cllr Mike Cox, portfolio holder for finance, said the council needs the money from sale to help with its transformation. 

Meanwhile, the resident's association says as a solution to the problems with the car park, improvements such as better signage, lighting, security and accessibility features could be made.