Agenda item

Report ES11117

As the New Beckenham railway station car park had insufficient capacity to meet demand and the Council owned land adjacent to the station, it was recommended that the land be incorporated into the car park to increase its capacity and income to the Council. Pressure caused by commuter parking in nearby residential roads would also be eased.

Agreement was therefore sought for the submission of an application for planning approval to develop the area of unused land shown on drawing ESD-10934-1 along with any subsequent consents required.

The report explained that it might be possible and desirable at some future stage to sell the land for housing development should the market be right and access issues could be resolved. However, it was not felt that this should prevent utilisation of the land for car parking at the present time. It was possible that TfL, who would fund the project, might require recompense if the car park was later sold to be redeveloped for housing, but this was thought to be an acceptable and limited risk.

In discussion there were a number of comments. It was confirmed to Members that any extended part of the car park may have less parking capacity than the existing car park given the number of trees on the unused land.

A number of Members supported an extended car park but Councillor Kathy Bance opposed the scheme and asked for her opposition to be recorded.  She had received a negative response from certain residents in Kings Hall Road whose properties backed on to the unused land. All day parking in Kings Hall Road was prevented by an 11am to Noon parking restriction and she asked whether the land, if it were to be sold, would be placed on the open market. Councillor Bance referred to the unused land being a pocket of nature in the area and asked how many trees had a Tree Preservation Order. Neighbours in Kings Hall Road would also be disturbed with noise and car fumes. There was also a large car park by the Iceland store at the Blenheim Shopping Centre whose top level was rarely used.

Supporting the proposal a Member explained that he had received only positive feedback although one resident had questioned why it was necessary to charge for parking on a Saturday morning. Another Member in support indicated that it would help reduce the number of vehicles parked on local roads. 

Members were advised there was no proposal at the moment to seek to sell the unused land. Parking was not an issue in Kings Hall Road although it was indicated that other roads would benefit from an enlarged car park - the number of cars was not expected to diminish. It was also explained that the Iceland car park was mult-storey and not so popular - open car parks were more popular. It was also possible to consider signage for the Iceland Car Park.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to agree:

(1)  that officers seek planning approval to develop the land labelled ‘un-used land’ on drawing ESD-10934-1 as a car park extension, subject to any other necessary approvals;

(2)  to fund the re-development of the site from the TfL LIP funding for 2011/12 and 2012/13, subject to achieving any other necessary approvals; and

(3)  to delegate minor details, such as car bay dimensions and location of P&D machines, to the Director of Environmental Services.