By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
A Cheltenham car boot sale can continue to trade amid safety concerns after the creation of a new cycle path.
Reg Daldry has been granted permission by Cheltenham Borough Council to use the existing parking site off the A435 Evesham Road north of the spa town for up to 14 days a year.
The 18-acre site is used for coaches visiting Cheltenham Racecourse and was the site of a car boot sale until 2014, according to Cheltenham Car Boot and Market’s planning application.
The plan is for car boot sales to take place on non-race days and would not involve any permanent operational development.
Dozens of people had objected and Gloucestershire Highways officers recommended refusal on safety grounds, saying conflict with the new Bishop’s Cleeve to Cheltenham cycleway is the critical issue.
One of their main concerns is that vehicles entering and exiting the site must cross the newly created two-way cycle path which is located on a downhill gradient, where cyclists may be travelling at moderate to high speeds.
But borough planners have now granted a certificate of lawful use for the site to use for a car boot sale and market 14 per calendar year.
Officers say the proposed development is lawful development and does not require a planning application.
Mr Daldry, who use to run the car boot sale at Hempsted Meadows in Gloucester, has been approached for comment.
Ahead of the decision, Mr Daldry questioned why highways were objecting.
“My planning consultant can’t believe that we are in discussions about this because [highways] are the ones that designed [the cycleway],” he said.
“The car park has been there for 30 years.”
Councillor Roger Whyborn (LD, Benhall and Up Hatherley), who holds the cabinet portfolio for road safety, said ahead of the decision that Shire Hall recognises there has been significant problems of congestion near the site.
There is risk to safety of road users where vehicles are needing to turn and cross the cycle spine at this location, which needs to be resolved, he said, and the County Council is working to identify further measures to promote safe driver behaviour.