Stanley split over plan for multi-storey car park to handle weekend crush

A proposal to build a multi-storey underground car park with 140 spaces in Stanley has divided the beachside community, with district councillors set to debate the issue at a meeting tomorrow.

The plan has ignited heated debate among residents and business owners, with the proposed car park at the junction of Stanley Beach and Stanley Village roads regarded by opponents as a "white elephant" as the village is busy only at weekends.

Supporters of the plan say the extra parking is needed due to a shortage of spaces at weekends and on public holidays. The two basement levels would provide 140 spaces, and about 95 existing street-level spaces would be turned into parking for coaches.

Southern District councillor Chan Lee Pui-ying, who represents Stanley and owns several commercial properties in the area, said she was "neutral" about the plan.

She said most councillors had backed the plan when they met on Thursday but that it would be discussed again tomorrow.

"It depends on what the people want," she said yesterday, pointing out that the proposal was almost a decade old.