Parking

Parking Policies within this section contribute to achieving the following Strategic Objectives: SO6. Creating attractive places and spaces SO8. Improving the quality of life of our communities SO9. Connecting people to places 7.5.1 Given the rural and affluent nature of South Warwickshire, car ownership and use is high. However, accommodating the car into well-designed and people friendly places is challenging. Provision of parking affects layouts, density and how spaces are used. Excessive parking can also encourage further car use and actively discourage active travel including walking, cycling and public transport all of which can have health benefits as well as climate benefits. Policy BN.15 seeks to strike the right balance between these objectives and providing adequate off-road parking that meet the needs of occupiers. This is particularly important in town centre locations. Policy BN.16 Parking Planning applications are required to demonstrate that development proposals deliver convenient and adequate on-site levels of car parking (including visitor, disabled and ‘parent and child’ parking), motorcycle parking and cycle parking. The level of parking proposed should optimise opportunities for use of public transport and active travel and a more flexible approach to car parking should be taken in town centre locations. The amount of parking, and its design, will need consider the unique characteristics of the site, having regard to existing public transport and active travel provision. Reflecting the sustainability of their location, a lower level of off-street car- parking provision will be acceptable on sites within 1km of a railway station within the existing Built-up Areas of the Main Urban Areas or 500m of a railway station within the existing Built-up Areas of other settlements. The latest published parking standards will be used to help determine the appropriate level of parking provision and published design guidance will be applied to determine if the parking aligns with key design principles. Development proposals which result in significant changes to the location or supply of car parking will be required to demonstrate that there will not be an unacceptable impact to the road network or highway safety. In order to deliver efficient use of land, proposals for multistorey car parking will be supported where they are appropriate for the character and scale of the surrounding area. Policy Justification 7.5.2 The current 2024 NPPF states that if local parking standards are to be set, they should take into account the accessibility of the development; the type, mix and use of development; the availability of and opportunities for public transport; local car ownership levels; and the need to ensure an adequate provision of spaces for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles. It also states that maximum parking standards for residential and non-residential development should only be set where there is a clear and compelling justification that they are necessary for managing the local road network, or for optimising the density of development in city and town centre locations and other locations that are well served by public transport. It also recognises that the design of parking reflects current national guidance including the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code. 7.5.3 Parking standards are set out within the accompanying Technical Guidance. The parking standards address the amount of parking spaces to be provided, the location and convenience of the spaces relative to the developments that they are being used for, and the practical usability of the spaces provided (including acceptable space sizes). The standards provide guidance on the types of parking and the sorts of locations where they are considered appropriate. The car parking standards should be taken as a starting point and applicants should explain how the standards have been applied to their individual proposal. Where deviation from the standards is proposed, a detailed justification should be provided, supported by a parking survey undertaken in accordance with requirements set out in the Standards. Cycle parking provision will be delivered in accordance with the requirement set out in Cycle infrastructure design (LTN/120). 7.5.4 In recognising that town centre locations are likely to be better served by public transport and active travel provision, the current parking standards identify that lower car provision may be justified within the defined Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth town centres, and a zonal approach has been used to specify different car parking standards within the defined Stratford-upon-Avon town centre. 7.5.5 In assessing the unique characteristics of a site, there may be situations where increasing on-site parking provision is constrained, such as infill development, conversions or development within existing built-up areas limiting what is achievable. In these circumstances, proposals may have the potential to place additional pressure on existing on-street car parking. Such on-street parking impacts would need to be assessed as part of the highway capacity and safety considerations. Parking provision secured through the planning process does not create an automatic entitlement to on- street parking or the issue of resident or visitor permits. Where applicable, eligibility for permits is determined separately by the relevant highway authority and remains subject to residents’ parking schemes, Traffic Regulation Orders, available capacity and wider transport and highway safety considerations. 7.5.6 The parking standards may nee