Calne town centre car park fenced off amid Co-op sale

On Tuesday, July 16, it was revealed by Calne town councillor Michael Hudston that the former Co-op site on Mill Street would be sold to new developers.

In the days following that announcement, the car park to the rear of the disused building, at the bottom of The Pippin, was fenced off.

This is because the sale process, which is expected to take around four to six weeks to complete, requires vacant possession and the removal of unauthorised vehicles.

READ MORE: Long derelict 'eyesore' supermarket set to be 'sold to new developers'

The no parking signs in Calne town centre (Image: Newsquest)

The car park has been well used by those who have taken advantage of the unrestricted free parking in the town centre in recent years.

But now signs have been slapped on the new fencing warning that “unauthorised vehicles will be clamped.”

The gates remained open at the time of writing, in order for those already parked at the site to remove their vehicles.

But Calne Town Council, which was notified by the developer, warned further parking would be prohibited.

A spokesperson said: “The fencing is necessary to secure the site and prepare it for sale.

“This process requires vacant possession, meaning no unauthorised vehicles will be allowed on the property.

“Currently parked vehicles will be able to exit the car park, but further parking will be strictly prohibited.

“We appreciate that this will cause inconvenience. We will provide updates as we receive them.”

SEE ALSO: Plans to knock down derelict shop spark row over parking

The former Co-op building in Calne (Image: Newsquest)

Messages have been placed on vehicles that haven’t been moved recently and a sign with the contact details of the owner was due to be erected soon at the time of writing.

Cllr Hudston recently pointed out that the loss of the car park would likely impact parking for residents living in the town centre.

He added: “The upshot of this is that those who have taken advantage of the unrestricted free parking within the town centre, will now have to make alternative arrangements.

“This is also likely to significantly impact parking for residents in the surrounding streets.”

The former Co-op has been empty since April 2020 and the previous owners had initially planned to demolish the building and construct 26 dwellings.

Wiltshire Council is yet to make a decision on this proposal two years after it was lodged.

According to Cllr Hudston, the buyer of the property is a care company that hopes to redevelop the former supermarket into a care home.