Decision details

RESOLVED:

1.    That the “Parking Standards” be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

2.    That the existing Parking Standards SPD (October 2012) is superseded.

3.    That prior to publication, the final editing of the document (attached in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report) be agreed by the Executive Head for Planning, Regeneration and Economy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Yes.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and highlighted that the document would ensure all new developments had an appropriate levelling of parking provision, including accessibility.  It was noted that cars were now on average larger than the previous update of 2012, which was reflected in the parking space sizes in the document.

The Portfolio Holder placed on record her thanks to the Task and Finish Group for their detailed work on this issue which included the reflection of the Council’s Climate Change and Nature Emergency declaration.  The Chairman of the Task and Finish Group extended thanks to officers for the detailed work involved in the preparation of the SPD.

In response to a question on whether electric vehicle charging points would be installed in the Council’s own housing developments and social housing, it was confirmed that the Council would need to conform with planning policies in the same manner as any other developer or applicant.

A number of Members welcomed the SPD and hoped that further charging point provision in Council owned car parks would be pursued wherever possible.  It was acknowledged that this was a commercial initiative.  Two new coastal additions were expected shortly.

A six week consultation on the draft SPD has been carried out.