CALLS have been made to ensure a temporary car park at a former bus station is properly managed.

Plans have been lodged by Total Car Parks Limited to use the empty site in Magdalen Street, Colchester, as a short term paid 35-space car park.

The proposal is to make use of the council-owned site despite planning permission having already been granted for 230 student flats there.

The latest planning application has been lodged with Colchester Council with a decision due on June 7.

Colchester resident Nicholas Chilvers has urged the council to add conditions to the site if the car park plans are approved.

He said: "I don't have a problem with the car park, it is a good idea.

"But when I looked at the application I thought there were no officer recommendations. It is a car park on Colchester Council property, they are the landlords so we should expect some terms and conditions to ensure a good standard of operation in terms of security to the customers, signage and safety."

Mr Chilvers said there are already lots of vehicle and pedestrian movements close the site, which is by the Aldi supermarket.

He added: "If the council gets any money out of it they can put a hose over it and clear it up too. The place is a dump.

"It's on a main artery into town and will be the first and last impression of Colchester - let's put in a little bit of effort."

Total Car Parks Limited has not indicated the proposed opening times for the car park.

The plans for student flats were submitted by Victoria Hall Management and approved in 2016.

The Gazette asked the council how it was to benefit financially from the site being used as a car park and if plans for the student flats had collapsed.

A spokesman said it had been in discussion with Total Car Parks Limited.

He added: “We anticipate this temporary arrangement will improve security on the site whilst it is vacant, as well as providing income to the council, and will not affect the long term plans for student accommodation on the site.

“We have already consulted with the Highways Authority regarding safety issues and are seeking clarification from the applicant about appropriate signage, potential issues with ticket machines, and the requirement to clean the site to make it fit for purpose.”

There have been two fires at the former depot inside the last six months - one in November 2017 and one in February this year.

The Gazette also contacted Total Car Parks Limited and Victoria Hall Management for comment.