Concerns Raised Over Impact of Unofficial Airport Car Parks

The increasing use of unofficial airport parking is becoming a nationwide concern, with residents living near major airports reporting significant disruption to their communities. In Chew Stoke, a village near Bristol Airport, locals told the BBC that the growing number of unauthorised parking sites has made parts of the area "unliveable" at times, as travellers seek cheaper alternatives to official airport parking. Bristol Airport said it has funded an additional planning enforcement officer at North Somerset Council since 2024 and has been informed that this measure has helped curb some rogue parking operators. Annemieke Waite of North Somerset Council said the problem has intensified following the airport's expansion. Under current planning regulations, temporary car parks can legally operate for up to 28 days each year. While acknowledging that it is lawful for landowners to allow vehicles to be parked on private land for limited periods, Waite said the impact on local communities can be substantial. "These are residential areas, yet residents can suddenly find themselves surrounded by hundreds of parked vehicles," she explained. According to Waite, some operators are exploiting the 28-day rule by moving their operations from one field to another, enabling them to continue offering parking services while technically remaining within planning regulations. North Somerset Council said it is finding it "extremely difficult" to take effective enforcement action against unauthorised airport parking sites. Although legal powers exist to restrict such activity, the council noted that enforcement often results in the problem simply relocating elsewhere. The authority estimates that it has had to manage around 6,000 vehicles parked in fields surrounding Bristol Airport, highlighting the scale of the issue and the challenges faced by local communities and enforcement agencies alike.