69-space staff car park at Land off Crown Street, Accrington

“A planning application has been submitted for full permission to construct a car park at land bound by Crown Street, Ranger Street and Brown Street in Accrington. The site spans 0.17 hectares and is situated within the urban boundary of Accrington located just outside the town centre. The surrounding area includes a mix of uses including large employment/ industrial units, garages, offices and dwellings.”

“The proposal seeks to remove the existing hardstanding/ concrete slabs and brick shed, while surfacing the whole site with bitumen macadam. Car parking spaces will be outlined with surface markings and the proposed plan details 69 parking spaces (including 3no. disabled parking bays). The existing perimeter fencing is to be replaced on a like for like basis (2.1m high galvanised steel fence) as will the lighting columns.”

“The application site consists of a rectangular piece of land primarily comprising hardstanding/ tarmacked surfacing, perimeter fencing, a small brick shed and a large concrete storage bay (located centrally). It is understood the application site has historically been used as a scrap yard/ storage yard for vehicles and a road gritting salt compound, however it has remained vacant since 2020.”

“The proposal is not considered to detrimentally impact upon the amenity of neighbouring uses and will not harm the visual amenity of the surrounding area. The application site is not within an area at risk of flooding and is considered to not have a significant impact on highway safety, capacity or amenity in the immediate vicinity of the site.”

“The proposed car park, while in technical conflict with CS Policy E2 and DMDPD Policy DM1 regarding the retention of "good quality" employment land, is considered to accord with the development plan as a whole and is acceptable in this instance.”

“United Utilities: No objection but recommend a condition.”

“Members discussed how the site had been used previously as a scrap yard and that the proposed car park would be a visual improvement. Members also commented that they were happy to see brownfield sites being utilised rather than remaining vacant.”

“Resolved – Members voted to approve the officer recommendation and grant planning permission subject to the conditions noted in the report.”

“The development hereby approved shall be commenced before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.”

“Site preparation and construction phase times of operation: Construction deliveries to and from the site, and construction works, are restricted to between 0800 and 1800hrs Monday to Friday, 0900 to 1300hrs on Saturdays, and will not take place on Sundays and bank holidays, unless otherwise prior agreed in writing with the local planning authority. All works will be undertaken in accordance with BS5228:2009”