Car park plans for designer outlet spark traffic fears

One resident said the style of the new car park is not in-keeping with the surrounding area

"Horrendous" traffic congestion will worsen if plans for a five-storey car park at a new retail park near the M5 are approved, residents have said.

Robert Hitchins Limited wants to provide 609 parking spaces for shoppers at the Cotswold Designer Outlet near Tewkesbury, which is expected to be completed by spring 2025.

But its latest applications, yet to be considered by Tewkesbury Borough Council, have sparked a strong reaction from residents, with one branding the scheme "a total disgrace".

Borough planners are expected to consider the proposals by 4 September.

'A blot'

Once completed, Cotswolds Designer Outlet is expected to create up to 500 new retail jobs across more than 55 individual stores and restaurants.

But one resident branded the outlet, near junction nine of the M5 and just off the A46 for Ashchurch, "a blot on the landscape".

"The traffic is horrendous now and this retail park is only under construction – what it will be like when it does open is frightening to think of," they said.

If approved the multi storey would provide 609 parking spaces for visiting shoppers

Another objector said the development of a slab-sided multi-storey car park does not fit in with the surrounding area.

They suggested a "two-level construction covering more of the parking areas would be more in-keeping" or that demand could be managed by introducing rising parking charges for each additional hour of parking.

"The A46 is badly congested now and at this point the retail outlet is not open," they added.

"The developer is asking for an additional 245 spaces with these four applications.

"That is a minimum of 245 additional traffic movements on the A46. On top of the unknown congestion that will occur when the retail outlet opens."

In the covering letter for the plans, the developer said it intends on providing additional parking spaces within the quantum permitted under the outline planning permission to serve customers.

"The proposed multi-storey car park will extend to five storeys and will provide 609 car parking spaces as well as landscaping along the southern boundary," it said.

The town council does not object to the scheme, and National Highways has recommended planning permission should not be granted for another three months to allow developers extra time to clarify questions around the plans.

This is with regards to drainage, geotechnical matters and environment concerns.