The future of a small car park lies in the balance, ahead of discussions by Cheltenham Borough Council next week (March 18).

The council decided the Idsall Drive car park in Prestbury was surplus to requirements in 2020 and it was approved for sale by cabinet in September 2023.

The 10-space short stay car park, close to Prestbury's High Street, currently costs Cheltenham Borough Council about £4,000 per year to maintain. The council said disposal of the site will deliver both immediate ongoing savings and cash to support its medium-term financial plan.

Now the local community has presented a petition to the council, calling for the sale to be stopped.

The petition states: "We recognise it is clear that this car park, as is evidenced by the amount of signatures on this petition, is overwhelmingly valued by the local community providing access to various shops and amenities.

"We have significant concerns about the evidence provided to justify the selling of the car park.

"We believe that the sale to a buyer who would not maintain its function as a car park would go against the will of the local community and cause serious damage to the local economy and community.

"We believe that there are various alternative options that could be found for the car park that recognises its social and economic value and finds a long-term solution to its continued function."

As the petition has over 750 signatures, it is entitled to a debate at the full council meeting next week.

But it has failed to sway council officers, who continue to advise councillors to reject its recommendations and to go ahead with the disposal of the car park on the open market as planned.

A total of eight bids have been received for the site, which was marketed on the basis that it continued to be use as car park, although with alternative use development potential.

Whilst a sale remains subject to contract and the details of the bids are confidential, the council confirmed that the most advantageous offer was substantially more than the "hypothetical market value of £100,000".

Once contracts have been exchanged, the council is bound to sell the car park to the buyer. If the council decides to pull out of the sale at this stage, it will need to consider damage to its reputation and the potential for monetary compensation to the buyer.

The car park has twice been offered for sale to Prestbury Parish Council, at a favourable rate, but the parish council has twice rejected the offer.

Image credit: Google Maps 2016