PLANS have been submitted to significantly increase the number of spaces in North Petherton's only public car park.

North Petherton Town Council has submitted the plans after working with the North Petherton Community Centre on finding the best way forward.

The site can currently accommodate 36 cars but the new designs would see that number increase to 62, plus additional spaces for motorcycles or bikes.

The car park became a source on controversy in the town last year when the Community Centre committee proposed installing an automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR) system which proved unpopular with many residents.

After going back to the drawing board with the help of the town council, the new proposals were formulated.

The existing public toilet block will be demolished and relocated to the front of the community centre to create space for the additional parking.

The proposals also include creating a new steel bridge over the watercourse for vehicles, so that pedestrians can use the existing bridge at the site.

The new toilet block will have a men's toilet, female toilet and an accessible toilet.

The town council hope the additional parking will reduce the number of cars parked along the A38, and allow the community centre to provide larger events.

The application, submitted by the Lyndon Brett Partnership on behalf of North Petherton Town Council, concludes: "The application proposal in our opinion, should be of a non-contentious nature which will only benefit the township of North Petherton."