COTSWOLD MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown recently organised a meeting to discuss the problems with car parking in Chipping Campden.

Representatives from the town, county and district council, business owners, members of the Business Forum, the Campden Society and residents, all attended the event last month looking at the ongoing issues with street parking, and the possible solutions.

Mr Clifton-Brown said: "There was an important presentation from the town’s traders who had commissioned an in-depth study into parking, which included monitoring the number of used spaces.

"The results of the study were startling.

"In January, the High Street experienced a 92 per cent occupancy level – clearly in the summer the street will be over capacity.

"Ultimately, extra car parking space must be made available."

A solution, proposed by the Campden Society, is to develop a site in Wolds End - off Aston Road - to provide an additional 58 parking spaces.

Mr Clifton-Brown said for this to become a reality, it would require a £300,000 investment.

"The district council could take out a loan from the public loan board to repay over 30 years at a 5.6 per cent interest rate.

"The car park would need to generate £16,000 a year for this to be possible – an achievable figure at £1 per day per

space."

A further meeting is expected to be set up between the forum and council officials, to discuss solutions in more depth.

Nick West, chairman of Chipping Campden's Business Forum, said it was "difficult to categorically say" that the parking situation was currently damaging business, but he said if a long term solution is not found, potentially customers could choose to shop elsewhere.

"This isn't an issue just for Campden, town's large and small have had to review their parking," Mr West said.

"The council has a series of options, and has been in open communication with ourselves and other interested parties.

"Once the council has a preferred option, a clear winner, we will take this to our members."

A Cotswold District Council spokesman said: “The Wolds End site in Chipping Campden is clearly identified in the local plan as potential extra car parking space.

"Cotswold District Council (CDC) is very willing to work with the local community to help provide more car parking capacity in Chipping Campden.

"Whether or not CDC, Chipping Campden Town Council or another town-based organisation would be best placed to develop any scheme is a matter for the local community – not least land ownership issues need to be taken in to account."