A NEW “park and stride” facility looks set for the go-ahead near a Hampshire school.

Civic chiefs want to create a 23-space car park for visitors to Dowd’s Farm park in Hedge End – and create a safe place for parents to park up and walk their children to nearby Wellstead Primary School.

A report due to go before Eastleigh Borough Council states that the scheme was brought forward due to parking problems in Dowd’s Farm estate and an increasing number of cars dropping off youngsters outside the school gates.

The car park would be open from 8am to 9pm between April and September and from 8am to 7pm between October and March. The Hedge End, West End and Botley Local Area Committee will discuss the plan on Monday at the Hedge End 2000 Centre at 7pm.