A WINCHESTER central car park is due to be closed for three days for a technical survey.

The Chesil Street surface car park will shut from today for a geotechnical survey by Tweedie Evans Consulting for Winchester City Council.

The car park is controversially the preferred site for new homes for the elderly. Many local people are unhappy that dozens of parking spaces will be lost.

Cllr Keith Wood, council leader, said: “We are in the middle of a consultation process to consider the urgent need for extra care housing in Winchester and whether the Chesil Street surface car park might be a suitable site.

“This kind of geotechnical survey looks dramatic, with a drilling rig on site to make a test borehole, but it is routine for any site where development may take place. The report produced provides necessary technical information, but I would like to stress that no decision about extra care housing at Chesil Street has been taken at this stage.”

The council has apologised for any inconvenience caused and stressed alternative parking will be available during the closure at the nearby park & ride sites and the Chesil Street multi-storey car park.