A CAR park in Colchester’s Butt Road will be replaced as it makes way for houses at the town’s former garrison.

Taylor Wimpey will develop the site but will build a new car park.

It will overlap the old car park and be closer to the road. The facility will not be closed until two car parks in Napier Road have been opened.

The Butt Road car park has 183 spaces and is popular with workers taking advantage of the cut-price early bird offer of £2.90 for the day.

The north and south car parks in Napier Road offer 120 new spaces and are ready to open with ticket machines and barriers installed.

However, they have stayed shut while discussions continue over planning conditions that surround tree planting, a fence and soil testing.

The car parks are due to be handed over once the 1,500th property on the Garrison development has been sold. A Colchester Council spokesman said an all-day fee of £2.50 will be offered at the Napier Road car park.

The early bird offers are still available at the council’s car parks in Sheepen Road and Sportsway.

Drivers with Butt Road season tickets will be offered a choice of relocation alternatives once a closing date is known.