COLCHESTER United will be allowed to stage Sunday car boot sales at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The U’s were given permission to use the stadium car parks every Sunday at a meeting last night.

The club plans to attract 200 stalls every week from 7am and have enough space for 500 cars.

It had hoped to win permanent planning permission but members of Colchester Council planning committee decided permission will expire in six months after the date of the first car boot sale because the impact on the nearby residents will have to be measured.

During the debate, Jon Manning, who represents Wivenhoe Cross on Colchester Council, warned of a clash with mini-rugby mornings at Colchester Rugby Club, which is also based in Axial Way.

“There is about 1,000 children there, each of which is brought by a parent, with 1,000 cars and I suspect this has not been taken into account.

“An extra however many vehicles for 200 stalls and buyers will certainly have an impact.”

But Peter Chillingworth, who represents Great Tey, said: “This is the Community Stadium and this is exactly the sort of thing it should be used for.”

The application to approve the application subject to the condition was agreed by nine votes to one. There was one abstention.