A FRONTRUNNER for a council leader position has said he has no plans to change a controversial temporary car park.

Peter Halliday, deputy leader of Tendring Council, said if he became Tendring Council Leader the temporary car park in Manningtree’s market square would remain in operation.

Manningtree Town Council had hoped the market square could instead be used as an open space for community events.

Discussions between the two council’s on the future of the market square’s have now been put on hold until Tendring Council formally appoint a new leader on November 27.

Mr Halliday, Tory group leader on Tendring Council, said: “It isn’t an open space, there’s a market which operates out of it.

“The business community in Manningtree are very keen on a solution and a car park would be there to assist them in their everyday business.

Mr Halliday said the car park’s future would be reassessed if plans for a Tesco store on the border of Manningtree and Lawford were approved.

Mayor of Manningtree, Kerry King, said: “It would be concerning if the car park became a permanent fixture in the town.

“The aim is to cease using it as a car park because we want to use it as a space that the community can use more."