A central area of Bury St Edmunds is to lose two public car parks due to development schemes.

East Anglian Daily Times: The new Premier Inn in Bury.The new Premier Inn in Bury. (Image: Archant)

Changes are to be made to the parking arrangements behind New Shire Hall – part of which is being turned into a 75-bedroom Premier Inn, scheduled to open in June.

And the Manor House car park, next to the Bury Record Office, is fenced off, preventing anyone from parking there.

A spokesman for St Edmundsbury Borough Council, which used to operate the car park, said: “The Manor House car park, which was privately owned and leased to St Edmundsbury, closed on January 1 after the owner served notice. The council is working on replacing these 40 spaces elsewhere later in the year.”

There is a possibility these 40 spaces may be relocated to the back of the Premier Inn under a contractual agreement, but they may just be available at weekends.

The car park behind the Premier Inn is privately-owned.

David Harris, of M & D Developments which is working with Premier Inn, said once the hotel opened, the car park would be used by the hotel and occupants of the flats, which are also in New Shire Hall, but confirmed the local authority may be able to operate about 40 spaces.

He said people in the vicinity were aware of the situation.

On social media website Streetlife, there has been a discussion about the changes to the car park behind New Shire Hall, where parking charges have increased from £2 to £3 a day.

One contributor said: “It’s always been the best value for parking in Bury – even with the increase it’s still come and go parking for the day. The loss of this little car park means I’ll most likely go back to shopping in Newmarket.”

Abbeygate borough councillor, Joanna Rayner, said: “There are a range of parking options for people living in the town and visitors alike to complement the fantastic offer we have in Bury St Edmunds and I would encourage people to make full use of all parking options available across the town.”

The site next to the record office has planning permission for 15 residential units after applicant Paul Warner, of EA Property Developments, was granted consent in 2013.