Issue - meetings

To consider the findings of the feasibility study conducted to explore the potential to declare surplus land contained within Duke Street and Churchill Way car parks and to release such land for redevelopment for housing.

The Committee considered the report on the recent findings of a feasibility study conducted to explore the potential to declare surplus land contained within Duke Street and Churchill Way car parks and for release such land for redevelopment for housing. 

Councillor L Braithwaite addressed the Committee in relation to the report and stated that the parking feasibility study provided in this report was not robust. It did not cover potential displacement onto residential streets and the impacts on traffic movement, and it was focused on a pre-determined outcome of surplus capacity on Churchill Way and Duke Street, without considering other town centre car parks.

Having previously declared an interest, Councillor Braithwaite left the meeting whilst the Committee considered the report.

The Committee asked about housing allocation and if any development would count towards the housing targets and in response it was stated that it would only count once any planning permission had been granted.  Reference was made to the loss of car park revenue and that no clear assessment had been provided on how this would affect revenue for the Council.  In response it was stated that this report was just the start of the process, and that detailed work would be undertaken to take forward any proposals.  Mitigation measures would also be looked at, including the introduction of residents parking permits.

A friendly amendment in relation to recommendation 1 was proposed and accepted by the Committee, to include the additional wording “subject to obtaining suitable planning permission”.

RESOLVED:  That the Committee

1               agree the proposal to bring forward land forming part of Churchill Way and Duke Street car parks as housing sites subject to obtaining suitable planning permission and being declared operationally surplus.

2        delegate authority to the Executive Director Place to explore and select the most appropriate form of housing redevelopment to be located on the surplus land forming part of Churchill Way and Duke Street car parks.