Closure order secured for Salisbury car park
Only residents will be allowed to enter the area of Cherry Close
Last updated 11th Feb 2021
Wiltshire Council's issued the closure order with immediate effect after reports of anti-social behaviour there.
A group of men who don't live in the area had been using the car park to run a garage - buying, selling and fixing cars.
That's been causing disruption to residents late into the night, and making them feel intimidated, as well as being a breach of Covid rules.
The order's been put in place by Salisbury Magistrates Court and bans anyone except authorised residents from entering the car park.
It's a criminal offence for anyone who iosn't permitted to go into that area.
Cllr Richard Clewer, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"Where we can, we will use the powers available to us to take action to protect our communities from antisocial behaviour, and this closure order is a great example.
"This area of Salisbury is home to both council and private residents, who were all affected by this antisocial and intimidating behaviour, so we're pleased that they can now enjoy some peace and quiet and can use their car park without fear.
"People who are permitted to use the car park have been issued with a letter of authority to use the area, and may be asked to present this to police officers, who are patrolling the area. Anyone else who enters the area without authorisation will be committing a criminal offence and may be arrested.
"Our officers have already had feedback from local residents to say how this closure order has had a hugely positive impact on their lives, and it's great that our dedicated teams can make a positive difference in this way."
Wiltshire Council say they will seek to take similar action if anti-social behaviour is reported in communities.
We can get in touch with the authority via their website.