Cllr. Pete West

BH2021/04390 - 28A Crescent Road

13^th January 2022:

As a ward member representing residents of Round Hill I wish to object to this application which seeks removal of the ‘car-free’ restriction placed upon the issuing of residents parking permits at this development.

Round Hill is part of parking Zone J, a heavily subscribed parking scheme, with growing pressures upon availability of convenient residents parking. These pressures formed the context of the decision to grant the planning application as car-free. Reversing that restriction will only exacerbate parking problems. This position was upheld by the dismal of the 2019 appeal by the planning inspector. Granting this application would set an unhelpful precedent undermining other existing and future car-free developments.

Residents and councillors are actively engaged in considering highway improvements to prevent rat-running and to improve the safety and attractiveness of active travel in Round Hill. Parking pressures, in the narrow and curving streets, contribute detrimentally to road safety in Round Hill. The co-chair of ETS Committee, Cllr Davis, recently suggested that making Round Hill a Low Traffic Neighbourhood was the only way ahead. Assistant Director – City Transport - is due to meet residents and ward councillors to explore options following a request from the committee.

If you are minded to grant the application, as a ward councillor may I request that the matter be put before the Planning Committee for determination.