PLANS for a new public car park in a Cotswold village have been met with backlash from locals.

Residents in Bourton-on-the-Water have expressed concerns that the addition of a new car park will only overcrowd the village with more tourists.

Longborough Developments Ltd has submitted a proposal to use agricultural land located at Manor Fields on Station Road as a public car park.

It wishes to gain permission to extend the use of the car park up to 70 days, compared to the 14 days that is currently allowed.

This is in addition to the 28 days for which permission is not needed, increasing the total to 98 days of parking that compares to the current total of 42 days.

The plans will provide parking for up to 300 extra cars each day, which, in turn, allows for more visitors to visit the village.

Richard Gill, a resident of Bourton, said approving the planning proposals would "further damage the amenity value of the beautiful village".

He added: "the interests of the villagers are always overlooked, and their tolerance of the ever-present over-tourism would be further stretched if this application, driven entirely by commercial interests, is approved."

The plan has been submitted to Cotswold District Council.

Tracy Watts, who runs Gift Times with her husband Charlie in the Cotswold village, said: “As a business owner we are critically worried about how it affects our business.

“I know there has been a lot of toing and froing with the council over this matter but, from a business point of view, we would have no problem with it at all.

“We would never object to parking so long as there was a car park where people can park legally rather than on the roads and pavements.

“My Argument is that it would be better for the village to have more parking areas for cars to park and, as a business, we are always crying out for more visitors.”