Agenda item

To consider the change of use of the public car park to a rental vehicle premises (Sui Generis), the erection of modular rental vehicle office and rental vehicle wash bay and associated works (including lighting and resurfacing).

The Committee were presented with an application for the South Car Park on Primett Road. Officers outlined the proposal and explained that the application involved a change of use of part of the public car park to a rental vehicle premises. This would also include associated works such as lighting and resurfacing. 

The Committee were shown site photographs of the area, and were presented with the site plans. It was noted that the application would result in the closure of 90 spaces in the southern area of the car park to accommodate the facility. This would reduce the total car park capacity from 362 to 272 spaces.

It was noted that the Council was ending its car parking contract with the NHS in June, which would release a further 100 season ticket spaces.

Officers explained that the nearby Nexus development and local office occupancy rates made it difficult to predict the future impacts on the potential reduction in car parking.

The Chair introduced Mr Robert Stewart from Stevenage Packaging Limited to address the Committee.

Mr Stewart addressed the Committee and noted that he represented the 67 objections to the application. It was noted that the proposal did not adequately address the loss of the 90 spaces, which would impact the local businesses and restaurants. Discussions took place regarding the new Nexus development and the increase in demand for parking once residents had moved in. Mr Stewart concluded that the application should be refused.

The Chair introduced Mr Chris Dodds, the planning agent representing the applicant to address the Committee.

Mr Dodds spoke in favour of the application and outlined how the proposal complied with national and local planning policies. He noted that the proposal aligned with the town’s long term transport strategy and provided sustainable transport benefits. The Committee were informed of Enterprise’s commitment to engaging with the local community and the potential investment that the facility would bring into the Old Town.

The Chair thanked both the speakers for their contributions and invited the Team Leader to respond.

The Team Leader explained to the Committee that a design and access statement was not required for this application and addressed questions regarding the Nexus development. It was noted that the car parking spaces which would be provided at the Nexus Development complied with the Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) guidelines.

Members raised questions regarding the uncertainty of future impacts on parking in the area. The Director of Planning explained that the role of the Committee was to assess the application before them, weighing the impacts against the proposed benefits.

A question was raised whether the Council had a contingency plan if parking impacts were significant, and Officers confirmed there wasn’t one, as the 90 car parking spaces would not be replaced.

Questions were raised about data beyond January, and it was noted that they only had data for the most recent month, though prior analyses had reached similar conclusions.

Members raised that a future car park impact assessment would be required before any decision could be made, including consideration of the effect on local businesses and existing investment in the area.

It was proposed by the Chair that the application be deferred until the Committee could be provided with more sufficient information regarding the future impact to the area. This was seconded by Councillor De Freitas and agreed by all members of the Committee.