A BUSY Stevenston car park could permanently close to the public after a long-running dispute between the owners and North Ayrshire Council.

Europe and Jersey own the land behind the Stevenston Beattie Library which serves as a car park for local shops but owner Ken Johnstone from the company has had enough saying that the council’s lack of willingness to negotiate is leaving him with no option but to close it completely.

First built back in the late 1990s, the car park is adjacent to the New Street Shopping Centre and was built on the basis that planning permission for said shopping centre was granted.

This permission had a Section 75 agreement which gave North Ayrshire Council the option to take up the licence of the car park, an option which Mr Johnstone feels that he was lead to believe would happen.

The agreement says: ‘The Second Party (Europe and Jersey) agrees that within one year of of the First party’s (North Ayrshire Council) acceptance of the completion of the said car park and access road that the First Party have an option to enter into a licence an arrangement with the Second Party in relation to said car park.’

Ken said: “I have tried for some years and in particular since April of this year to resolve the matter but I have got nowhere, even though the Estates and Legal Department understand fully the implications.

“There have been incidents within this area which has resulted in Europe & Jersey Estates being liable for substantial costs, therefore due to North Ayrshire Council’s belligerence and unwillingness to discuss the matter, we are left with no alternative but to shut the car park after the New Year.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “It is normal practice, as part of the planning process, for new commercial developments to provide appropriate parking to serve their development. Europe and Jersey freely signed an agreement in 2000 which provided for such car parking. There is nothing in this agreement which obliges the Council to assume liability for this private car park

“The agreement does contain an option for the Council to enter into a licence arrangement to allow for the management of the car park but this option was never taken up.

“Nevertheless, we will continue to engage with the company in order to find a long-term solution.”