A PLAN to ease parking woes in a Hampshire market town has suffered a big setback.

Bishop’s Waltham Parish Council want to increase the number of parking spaces in the town centre at the Jubilee Hall but to do this they would have to increase council tax to pay for the work.

However, following a survey of residents, people said they do not want to help fund the extra cost of the work and the parish council is now looking at alternative measures of funding.

As reported in November the proposed extension would cost £256,000 with Winchester City Council paying £50,000 of with Bishop’s Waltham Parish Council aiming to pay for the rest of the £156,000 themselves.

A statement from the parish council said: “The Parish Council had intended to apply for a Public Works Loan Board loan of £165,000 over 15 years to cover the cost of its share of the car park works.

"The loan repayments would mean a small increase on the precept (£5.38 per annum per Band D property). 

“The Council is required to consult with the parishioners on this increase and so the survey was undertaken.

“The survey closed at the end of November and the results showed that 58.47% (252 people out of a total response of 431) of the respondents did not wish the precept to increase to cover the repayments.

"This means that if the parish council wishes to go ahead with the project the funding must be found from an alternative source.

“The parish council is now reviewing the project and its options for funding.”