PARKING at a Cheltenham hotel is driving nearby residents to distraction.
Erica Povey spent frustrating minutes trying to find somewhere to park near her home after a fleet of 4x4s took up many spaces near her flat.
The 52-year-old, who pays for a permit for her street, eventually found a spot – which she had to pay extra to use.
She was outraged when Gloucestershire County Council told her they had sold 10 spaces in the road to Montpellier Chapter hotel for five weeks.
"I was told that the hotel had asked for the whole street, but the council had compromised by giving 10 spaces," said the part-time estate agent.
"I can understand we need to bring money into Cheltenham but the people who live here, who spend our money here regularly, need to be considered."
She added she did not understand why the spaces were being given away for so long.
There are concerns it could set a precedent for the future.
"Five weeks is quite a long time for a road like this. Parking permits were implemented after consultation. We agreed to pay because we wanted to be able to find somewhere to park.
"I spent ages driving around looking for a space in the heat, with two bags of shopping and ended up having to pay at the parking metre."
A spokeswoman for the hotel said the spaces were needed as part of a large automotive event taking place around Cheltenham until July 29.
She added: "On the road outside the hotel, 10 pay and display parking bays have been pre-purchased from Gloucestershire County Council by the organisers for the duration of this event.
"These spaces are often taken by guests of the hotel who are staying with us, using the restaurant or the spa.
"We apologise for any inconvenience having the hotel closed for this time creates."
Jim Daniels, parking manager, added: "We have allowed them to use a limited number of parking spaces and we're keeping an eye on the situation to make sure it doesn't cause additional problems for the residents."
