Agenda item

Public Participation

Ms Kim Blunt (agent) spoke in support of the application.

The planning officer introduced the report which recommended permission be granted. It was stated that the application was for a change of use from a bus station to a commercial car park.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Concerns with highway safety, relating to the entrance and exit plans on the Salisbury Road, were raised. In response to queries it was also stated that decisions on pricing in the car park would be the responsibility of the applicant.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views to the Committee as detailed above.

The Local Member, Cllr Fred Westmoreland, then spoke in support of the application subject to appropriate conditions.

During debate, it was noted that Amesbury had recently had a reduction in the number of parking spaces available and replacements were required, although some members felt that the site had potential for more productive long term use than as a car park, and the possibility of restricting the time of use as a car park was discussed.

The restriction of access on the Salisbury Road was also raised.

At the end of discussion, it was,

Resolved:

That Planning Permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1)    The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason:  To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2)    No development shall commence on site until the following details have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority:

·         Details of the parking layout;

·         Details of the location, scale and appearance of the pay station and any associated signage;

·         Details of the making good to exposed surfaces where features have been removed (i.e. the lean-to building, railings, footways);

Development shall be carried out in accordance with the agreed details prior to the first use of the car park.

Reason: In the interests of highways safety and the character and appearance of the area.

3)    Prior to the first use of the development, a revised car parking management plan reflecting the requirement of Policy PS5 of the adopted Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 2011-2026 Car Parking Strategy, as submitted but to include a regular visit by an attendant, shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The parking management plan shall be implemented in full accordance with the approved plan at all times following the opening of the car park unless otherwise agreed in writing with the local planning authority.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety and to ensure the adequate provision and control of the car parking.

4)    Prior to the commencement of work, a signage scheme to include directional road signs, entry / exit signs and internal signs/ directional arrows shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. This shall include the prohibition of vehicles entering the car park via the Salisbury Road (A345) access. The signs shall be erected in accordance with the approved plan prior to first use of the development, and shall be maintained as such for the duration of the permitted use.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety and to prevent confusion for all users of the car park.

INFORMATIVE - Condition 3 (parking layout)

With reference to the internal arrangement, parking space no.28 seems to obstruct the adjacent disabled space and should be removed. Furthermore, the motorcycle parking may be better placed between spaces 18 & 19 if spaces 7-18 were moved along slightly to open the gap.