Comment

Representation ID: 3360

Received: 26/04/2012

This site is currently a mix of residential and commercial properties along with an off street car park which had previously been identified in the Central St Leonards Masterplan as a potential development site. Any new access to the site would be most appropriate from Western Road as this street would provide the most visibility. This area is in a sustainable location being close to a number of bus routes and a railway station. It is located within Zone 2 of the ESCC parking standards and therefore reduced car parking provision on site is appropriate.

The main issue associated with this site would be loss of the existing car park. If replacement spaces were not proposed within the site then there will be an increase in demand for on street parking in the area. As there is already high demand for on street parking locally it is likely that loss of the car park will lead to inappropriate parking which could compromise highway safety. Any application would need to demonstrate how this issue will be mitigated, if on site parking is not provided for the general public. Any application would also need to contribute to the wider regeneration proposals for the Central St Leonards area including the Local Space project for the area.