A temporary car park will be opened on Whitehaven's former Mark House site from Monday (December 10).

Property developer BEC, the company behind the town's multi-million pound North Shore development, has teamed up with iParkSmart to provide a short term 70+ space car park.

They hope the plan will bring "much-needed, affordable" parking to the town before BEC’s new office block is developed on the site.

Parking, which can be paid for with cash, online or via your phone, will cost £5 per day, with discounts for longer bookings.

There is a long-term multi-storey car park plan as part of the North Shore scheme.

BEC chief executive Michael Pemberton, said “The site is earmarked for a low-carbon office development due to open by 2021.

"There are many stages of the development and as we don’t need to be digging on the site at the moment, we are keen that the people of Whitehaven benefit from it now.

"That’s why iParkSmart will develop a temporary car park that will bring affordable spaces to the centre of Whitehaven.”

Responsibility for the running of the car park will lie with iParkSmart.

The company's managing director Bill Ideson said: “We are thrilled to be expanding our operations in Whitehaven.

"This will be our second car park and it’s great that we can make temporary use of this land to provide a user-friendly facility to help ease the car parking pressure on the town.

"Space in the car park will be £5 a day with discounts for long term bookings and shorter tariff rates available, something we feel will really help local workers.

"We are also embracing digital technology, as alongside cash payment we will be offering online and phone payment for those in a hurry!

"This new cark park will also create a new job within our organisation for the duration of the sites operational time.”

The North Shore scheme is being brought forward by BEC, with the help of partners including Copeland Council and Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners.

It proposes a 4* hotel, multi-story car park facility and circa 75,000 sq ft office development that will sit alongside the Buzz Station – an innovative place that will see office space alongside an artisan food and beverage offering in the old bus station.

Road upgrades plans are also ongoing in partnership with Cumbria County Council.

BEC hopes Whitehaven’s harbour front will become a beacon for sustainable development as it strives to be zero-net-carbon (ZNC).