Councillors to agree town car park makeover

The results of a public consultation, held by Melton Council in February, showed that 89 per cent of people who responded wanted the site to stay as a pay and display car park and for it to be resurfaced and improved.

Members of the council’s policy, finance and administration committee will meet on Tuesday (July 3) to discuss options.

They’re being urged to approve a ‘medium specification’ scheme which would include an improved surface, lighting and signage, better access and provision of about 17 additional parking spaces.

It’s anticipated the scheme would also save the council about £12,000 a year on maintenance costs on the car park.

The works are due to be completed by April 2013.

Members of the public who took part in the consultation also had their say on possible uses for the gap of land, between numbers 26 and 38 Burton Street, and how the site boundary with Play Close should be treated.

Nearly a quarter of respondents thought that having shops, especially men’s clothing outlets, in the gap site would benefit the street.

But on the other hand a fifth of respondents wanted to leave the gap as it is.

Other suggestions included creating a chill-out seating area or using the space for a gallery or art centre.

It’s been recommended for the gap site to be marketed for potential disposal when market conditions improve or there is perceived demand for new building in Burton Street.

Councillor Pam Posnett, deputy chairman of the policy, finance and administration committee, said: “Resurfacing the car park will just enhance that end of Burton Street even more than it has been recently, since our Parkside offices have been there and the fantastic job Melton in Bloom has done with the gardens.”

Planning consent for engineering works will be needed once councillors have chosen their preferred option.