Object

Representation ID: 2930

Received: 22/09/2017

Respondent: Stockvale Group

Stockvale considers that this policy is now closer to being sound and acceptable. However, we do not consider that it makes it clear that the reference to analysis of the impact of additional parking demand on the key visitor car parks should be an analysis that is based on peak days for the seafront area. As set out at length in the Examination, these are the days that matter for the tourism economy. As currently drafted it would not prevent a transport assessment from only assessing standard network peaks (weekday AM and PM peak) and not the resort peak. With a few minor modifications this can be resolved.
We suggest the policy is reworded as follows:
"Require any development proposals that come forward on key visitor car parking areas in the south of the Southend Central Area (as identified in Table 5 and Map 4) to ensure that there is no loss of key visitor car parking; any planning application in these areas would need to be accompanied by a detailed transport assessment that would include an analysis of the impact of the additional parking demand generated by the proposed development on the identified key visitor car parks on peak days for the seafront area, having regard to:
(i) Adopted parking standards;
(ii) Consideration of the extent to which linked/combined trips and opportunities for further mode shift through the travel plan process will reduce the need for additional publicly available car parking spaces;
(iii) Availability of parking to the south of the Central Area within the area shown in Map 4; and
(iv) The need for any replacement parking to be provided within the area shown in Map 4, where it should be secured through a planning condition or obligation as part of the overall development scheme or through another means acceptable to the Council. The replacement spaces must be brought into use prior to commencement of development of the key car park."
There also needs to be a paragraph that deals with the issue of temporary loss of spaces for development, noting the particular concern that emerged at the Examinations regarding developments that commence but do not complete, due to factors such as viability or developer going out of business. Given the importance of these spaces to the local economy, there needs to be a provision that ensures that protects as much as possible against this, as we suggested in the SOCG. This paragraph could be added to Policy DS5 2b: "Where a development will result in a temporary net loss in publicly available car parking spaces on any of the key visitor car parks identified in Table 5, the developer will need to either provide temporary replacement provision for the duration of the construction project, or secure a bond in favour of the Council to ensure that in the event that the development is not completed the car parking can be reinstated."
There should also be a clause that recognises the potential for new car parks to be developed, where such an opportunity may arise (for example, the gasworks site which has recently been reported in the press). This should ensure that at least some of these spaces are protected in the Plan in future to support growth in the tourism economy:
"Where an opportunity arises for the Council to develop a new car park in the area shown in Figure Map 4, the Council should identify a proportion of spaces (no less than 25%) that will be protected to allow for the predicted growth in visitor numbers to the seafront area."