Car park management system at Anthonys Bank Car Park, Humberston

Why officers supported it

Officers considered charging acceptable in principle and found no significant harm to character, ecology, highways, amenity, drainage or flood risk.

“The principle of development is therefore considered acceptable provided that the proposal does not give rise to significant issues in terms of design, general amenity and highways in accordance with policy 5, 12, 22 and 39 of the North East Lincolnshire Local Plan 2013-2032 (adopted 2018) and section 14 and 20 of the NPPF.”

“Overall, from a public highway point of view the Highways Officer advises the car park is sufficiently distanced from the limits of the public highway that they do not envisage any displaced parking would have a material impact on the operation of the adopted highway. No objections are raised by the Highways Officer to the development.”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

Objectors opposed losing free parking and raised concerns about cost, access, displacement, traffic, queuing, enforcement, technology and anti-social behaviour.

“Humberston Fitties Humberston Cleethorpes DN36 4HB 9 The Green Bolton on Dearne Rotherham S638 HE 13 Banks Street Horncastle LN9 5BW 16 1st Main Rd Humberston Fitties DN36 4EU 30 Humberston Fitties Humberston 50 Main Road Humberston Fitties Cleethorpes 86, Humberston Fitties, DN364EU 3 First Main Road Humberston Fitties Chalet Park Humberston, Cleethorpes 16 Wold View, Holton le Clay, DN36 5EJ 25 Humberston Fitties, Grimsby, DN36 4EU Hayling Mere, Cleethorpes, DN35 0PF…”

“Another loss of free parking in the area another unnecessary expense for the public dog walkers, padel boarders, Kite surfers etc. Concerns also raised that paying to park here will push even more traffic down towards the Humber boat club/yacht club, causing traffic problems generally and having a negative effect on the emergency services such as fire, police, ambulance, RNLI and the coast guard.”

Officer report

People who spoke

An objector questioned the evidence and proportionality of the barrier, while the agent said the infrastructure would manage operational problems and keep the car park public.

Members’ debate

Members debated the distinction between parking charges and planning infrastructure, the evidence for the measures and whether daytime access should be protected.

“Councillor Jackson stated that, regardless of members’ personal views on the introduction of parking charges, that was not the matter before the committee. He noted that the Planning Committee’s role was to determine whether the proposed infrastructure was acceptable in planning terms and that officers had advised that it was.”

“Councillor Lindley stated that Members needed to focus on the matter before them and make their decision based on the planning issues under consideration. He noted that the application related to the proposed infrastructure and not to whether parking charges would be introduced. Councillor Lindley stated that the situation was a difficult one, given that the car park had been free to use for many years.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members approved the application with conditions by five votes to three, with one abstention, after adding a daytime opening requirement for the barrier.

“Councillor Goodwin proposed that the application be approved with conditions and with the additional condition of the barrier being open during the day.”

“(Note - the committee voted 5 for and 3 against with 1 abstention for the application to be approved with conditions.)”

Minutes

Permission conditions

The permission requires the development to begin within three years, follow the approved plans and comply with the stated biodiversity arrangements.

“CONCLUSION In conclusion, it is considered that the proposed development is functional but would not harm the appearance of the street scene or the wider character of the area including the Fitties Conservation Area. It is therefore considered to be in accordance with policy 5, 22, 33, 34, 39, 41 and 42 of the North East Lincolnshire Local Plan 2013-2032 (adopted 2018) and section 14, 18, 19 and 20 and of the NPPF.”

“In Summary: Based on the information available this permission is considered to be one which will not require the approval of a biodiversity gain plan before development is begun because one or more of the statutory exemptions or transitional arrangements in the list below is/are considered to apply. It is considered that exemption number 4.2 applies.”

Officer report