Castlepoint car park to be demolished and rebuilt as multi-million plans get go-ahead

MULTI-million pound plans to demolish and rebuild Castlepoints flawed car park have been given the green light, with work due to begin in spring.

Planners at Bournemouth council have granted consent for the shopping centre car parks rebuild, which will allow the park to remain open throughout the major work.

And Castlepoints owners and Kier, the original contractor, have issued reassurance that measures will be put in place to limit disruption and inconvenience to both customers and retailers.

Preparations will now get underway on the phased plan with the work expected to properly start in spring 2015.

Mark Watt, spokesperson for the owners, The Castlepoint Partnership, said: This is the result we had hoped for. The councils decision endorses our plan to deliver a long-term solution for Castlepoint, which will help it to retain and strengthen its position as a major destination in the retail hierarchy of the region.

Sean Jeffery, managing director, Kier Infrastructure UK, said: This is very welcome news. Together with the Castlepoint Partnership, we have worked hard to reach this stage.

There remain a few key steps to put in place, but this consent brings us closer to being able to start work on-site.

The car park demolition and rebuild will be done in five phases, starting at Sainsburys and working along the two malls.

Void spaces underneath some shop units will be opened up, creating extra car parking spaces.

A minimum of 2,500 car parking spaces will be available at all times, which is enough to cater for all but the very busiest spells.

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Castlepoint car park to be demolished and rebuilt as multi-million plans get go-ahead