CONTROVERSY has surrounded the carpark for Ferndown Tesco as plans to implement restrictions were introduced before being quickly scrapped.

Tesco initially intended to allow customers three hours of free parking during opening hours but limited them to 15 minutes when the store was closed.

However, after Councillor Mike Parkes met with Tesco, the restrictions have been removed.

Some residents believe restrictions should be in place though, to stop “antisocial behaviour” at night.

An anonymous source said: “People come down from London and race around the carpark. There were 150 cars in there one weekend.

“Police can’t do anything about this, they’re stretched enough as it is. Tesco came up with a brilliant solution, it just needed tweaking.”

They said the carpark should be open and free to park in all day during opening hours, but people should only be allowed 15 minutes when the store is closed, and Tesco should introduce security cameras to deter people from using the carpark as a racetrack.

Speaking about why he encouraged Tesco to remove the restrictions, Councillor Mike Parkes, said: “The carpark has been there for over 30 years without restricted parking.

“The crux of it was we had a number of individuals saying it wasn’t practical. Three hours isn’t very long.

“I had a very productive meeting with the police, and we have discussed a way forward in terms of dealing with the antisocial behaviour.

“We are going to arrange a meeting after Christmas with all the interested parties.”

Tesco store director, Andy Cruttenden, said: “We always want to do the right thing for the community we serve and to support our local town. After listening to the concerns of our customers we have decided not to introduce parking restrictions in our Ferndown car park.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “Local officers have been made aware of anti-social behaviour relating to anti-social driving and noise complaints associated with the car park.

“We have carried out operations in the area in the past and have continued to liaise with Tesco, the landowners and the management company responsible for the car park.

“We would urge anyone with information or concerns relating to anti-social behaviour to report them to Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101.”