The 100-space car park in South Street, Emsworth, is to be redesigned to make way for about six new shops and flats.

The run-down toilet block at the entrance to the car park will be knocked down and rebuilt elsewhere, and the Emsworth Centre is set for major refurbishment. Both are owned by Havant Borough Council.

The plans have been welcomed by local people who hope it will regenerate the conservation area close to Emsworth Quay.

Emsworth ward councillor Brendan Gibb-Gray said: 'I'm unusually enthusiastic about this, it's a very good idea.

'The Emsworth Centre is a wonderful community asset which is under-used but treasured by the people who do use it.

'If it is redeveloped it has got to be fit for the next 40 to 50 years, and the redevelopment of the frontage in South Street will go some way in paying for it.

'At the moment that area is a bit of an eyesore and the gap there looks like a bomb site.'

The Emsworth Centre will be the centrepiece of the redevelopment. It is currently leased by Havant Council of Community Services which runs meals and wheels.

Officers believe the run-down building is in the perfect position to be a tourism and education centre and a place community groups can meet in.

The run-down toilets were once a magnet for drug takers until police launched a crackdown.

Designs for the new buildings will have to adhere to extremely strict guidelines because of the area's conservation status.

Chris Close, of Bath Road, Emsworth, has welcomed the plans. He said: 'As far as I'm aware it is just the car park frontage with the Emsworth Centre and the toilets that are going to be developed.

'I'm quite sure it will be sensitively done and the toilet block there at the moment is not the most attractive part of South Street – which is a very attractive street.'

Havant Borough Council's executive committee will debate the plans at tonight's meeting at the Civic Offices.