A BID for a new public carpark to relive congestion in Moreton-in-Marsh has received support, but still has a long way to go to becoming a reality.

At Moreton-in-Marsh's latest parish council meeting the PWG (Parking Working Group) presented the concept of using the Glebe land as a new car park.

A vote was taken and the results were 76 Yes, 18 No with 24 abstentions. However, Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council has assured that any potential plans must go through the proper channels, before it could be given the green light.

A statement read at the Extra Ordinary Council Meeting, held on April 25, said: "Item 5 on the agenda relates to allowing a developer to conduct feasibility work to assess whether a car park on the unkempt land between the train station and Blenheim Meadow might be viable.

"The developer needs permission to cross Blenheim Meadow with equipment to undertake relevant investigations.

"To be clear, we are not considering the development of a car park this evening, only whether to allow a developer the means to determine if a car park next to the station might be possible.

"This could result in the town having options for additional car parking, which would reduce nuisance parking on residential roads and free up parking space on the High Street to support businesses.

"As councillors our role is always to seek the best options for the town. It is part of the governments planning process for the council to meet with developers when approached, and the council is encouraged to assist developers in their feasibility work, as part of the pre planning application engagement process.

"For both the Glebe and station sites, it is for the developers of those sites to come forward with the technical and supporting details to prove to the council, and to the town, that their proposals are viable and that any potential harm caused by the development can be adequately mitigated."

The Cotswold Journal has previously reported how the Gloucester Diocesan Board of Finance held an informal drop in public consultation event presenting the plans to the public. The original proposals were to provide 150 car parking spaces with potential to expand to 250 and some coach parking spaces, and for the car park to serve visitors, railway passengers and employees of town centre businesses.

At that consultation event there were 210 responses from the public - 183 in favour (83 per cent), 25 objecting (12 per cent) and two people giving a neutral view (one per cent).

Parking and congestion became a big issue for Moreton in Marsh that led to the PWG being set up, that has been pushing for extra car parking ever since. In statements the group has previously said the Glebe field at Bourton Road is an "ideal suitable location" with "good access and is a short walk to the town centre".

But residents have also voiced opposition to a car park scheme. On the Time for Change Facebook group a post said: "For residents of Blenheim Way, Roundhouse Mews and London Road, the location of access (to the car park) proposals should set alarm bells ringing."

And Mark Baldwin wrote: "We don't want extended train station parking near us - we want our area as it is, peaceful and quiet."