THE end could be in sight to parking woes in Marlborough, after land for a new residents’ car park was found.

But now the town council has to fight off developers who are also interested in the prime town centre space and Wiltshire Council, which has said it will not give them the land or sell it to them cheaply.

The L-shaped plot in Kelham Gardens could provide 30 residents-only spaces, the town council says.

But despite a flood risk and potential contamination of the 0.43 acres, which is next to a gas works, there has been a rush of outsider interest.

The land belongs to Wiltshire Council and was due to go to auction with a £45,000 guide price. But when 50 interested buyers emerged, the council moved it to the open market.

A parking survey last year found at times there were just 41 parking spaces free from the current 800 on offer in Marlborough, with locals describing a vacant slot as ‘like gold dust’.

Speaking at the annual town meeting on Monday, resident Val Compton said: “We have shift workers at Kennet Place who come home in the early hours and have to drive around Marlborough finding a space then have to walk home. It is not right.”

Jenny Noble, of Kingsbury Square, said: “As a resident it is very difficult to find a space. If I leave I know I can’t get back to that space.”

Speaking to Wiltshire Council cabinet members on Tuesday, Cllr Guy Loosmore said: “In the last couple of months more and more people are finding it difficult to park in Marlborough and this problem isn’t going to go away. This land has given us an opportunity to try and help solve that problem.

“This is a start. It is about making a difference and this is a very specific opportunity and one that doesn’t come up very often.”

Marlborough Mayor Mervyn Hall said: “There is a residents’ car park run by Wiltshire Council and it has a six-year waiting list. This would also ease on-street parking for residents.”

But the cabinet meeting agreed it would not give the space away for free through a Community Asset Transfer and will only sell to the Town Council if it can provide the best value offer.

Cllr Phillip Whitehead said: “My thanks to Marlborough Town Council for bringing this to our attention but we must emphasise that we will be looking for good value on this.”

Cllr Toby Sturgis confirmed the authority would enter negotiations with the town council and decide whether transferring it would be the best value option.

The land had a guide price of £45,000 when originally put up for auction.