Cheltenham Borough Council has granted permission for a car boot sale to operate on a parking site off the A435 Evesham Road, north of Cheltenham, despite safety concerns related to a newly constructed cycle path. Reg Daldry received approval to hold car boot sales on the 18-acre site—traditionally used for coach parking during race events—for up to 14 days each year.
The site, which was previously home to car boot sales until 2014, is planned to be used only on non-race days without any permanent development. However, the proposal faced strong opposition: dozens of local residents objected, and Gloucestershire Highways officers recommended refusal on safety grounds. Their primary concern centers around the intersection where vehicles entering and exiting must cross a downhill two-way cycle path, where cyclists can travel at considerable speed.
Despite these safety reservations, Cheltenham Borough Council concluded that the proposed use constitutes lawful development, negating the need for a formal planning application. Officers affirmed that the car boot sale site could legally operate up to 14 times per calendar year.
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Reg Daldry, previously affiliated with a car boot sale at Hempsted Meadows, Gloucester, expressed frustration over the objections from highways authorities, highlighting that the cycleway was designed by the same officials now raising safety concerns. He noted, “The car park has been there for 30 years.”
Cheltenham Councillor Roger Whyborn, who holds the cabinet portfolio for road safety, acknowledged the challenges posed by traffic congestion near the site. He emphasized the risks associated with vehicles crossing the cycle spine and stated that the County Council is actively exploring additional measures to ensure safer driver behavior in the area.