A RESTAURANT car park could become a designated spot for classic car owners to gather.

Plans have been submitted to convert the car park of the Bungalow Diner on London Road, Marks Tey, into a meeting place for vehicle enthusiast gatherings.

The owners of the restaurant have held six similar private events using Temporary Event Notices authorised by Colchester Council since July 2014.

A planning statement lodged to the council said: “The participants live or work in the wider area of Essex and Suffolk and bring the vehicles to show and meet with other like-minded people.

“The Americana classic car retro theme of the diner fits well with the types of vehicle displayed, which tend to feature vehicles produced in the United States during the Fifities and Sixties, and the restaurant benefits hugely from the custom these events generate.

“The numbers of people who are regularly attracted varies between 30 and 40 persons showing up to 20 and 25 cars at a time.

“A system has now been established with two marshals in yellow hi-vis jackets to ensure the events are policed properly, in terms of noise and disturbance, in order the residents are not disadvantaged.

“These events typically last between two and three hours.

“Usually the enthusiasts gather their cars in the car park area closer to London Road, rather than tucked away in the rear car park.

“This arrangement allows people who come via car specifically for a meal to still use the rear car park spaces.”

A council decision on the application is due by September 15.