Expanded communal car park at 1 - 5 Worksop Road, Whitwell Common

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing six garages, resurfacing and extending the parking area, providing 14 spaces, repairs and a crash barrier.

“The application seeks permission to demolish 6 existing prefabricated garages, re-surface the existing parking area and extend it by 9.5 sqm, marking out the resulting parking area with 14 spaces, including one disabled parking space. The proposal also includes repairs to an existing low retaining wall and installation of a 12.6m long crash barrier at a height of 900mm along the front of one of the rows of parking spaces created.”

Officer report

The site

The site is an existing garage, parking and recreation area beside dwellings, gardens and fields, accessed from Worksop Road.

“SITE & SURROUNDINGS The site is an existing garage site/parking area and recreation area. The site is accessed via an existing access onto Worksop Road. The site slopes down slightly, north to south. To the north and west of the site are dwellings and gardens. To the east and south of the site are fields.”

“PROPOSAL The application is for the demolition of the 6 existing prefabricated garages on site, re- surfacing the existing parking area and extending it by 9.5 sqm and marking out the resulting parking area with 14 spaces, including one disabled parking space. The proposal also includes repairs to an existing low retaining wall and installation of a 12.6m long crash barrier at a height of 900mm along the front of one of the rows of parking spaces created.”

Officer report

What officers advised

Officers recommended approval because the proposal would improve the site and parking while avoiding unacceptable effects on character, residents, highways or biodiversity.

“Policy SC5 requires conversions and changes of use within the countryside to meet a number of criteria. Of these criteria, only two are relevant to the current proposal and those are that the change of use is in keeping with the original character of the land/landscape character and that the development does not add to flood risk concerns.”

“Access/highways The proposal utilises the existing access and provides one additional parking space. The proposal formalises the existing parking spaces/areas and is considered to improve the accessibility/manoeuvring space within the site.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council and Environmental Health Officer made no comments, while Highways raised no objection subject to a parking and turning condition.

“DCC Highways: Based on the analysis of the information submitted and a review of Local and National policy there would not be an unacceptable impact on Highway Safety or a severe impact on congestion. There are no justifiable grounds on which an objection could be maintained. Advise condition requiring the development to not be brought into use until the parking and turning facilities have been provided as shown on the submitted drawings.”

“Environmental Health Officer: No comments to make.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Three residents raised concerns about parking allocation, disabled and electric vehicle spaces, construction, asbestos, communication and the extent of the works.

“Site notice and 12 neighbours notified. Objections received from 3 residents which raise the following issues: A disabled bay is not necessary. Bays should have house numbers on. 1 for each household. As people may struggle to park if other households have visitors and it would give residents piece of mind to have a guaranteed parking bay. 3.”

“If there is asbestos in the garage the council will be taken to court. Asbestos costs a lot to remove, that’s why it is being done in September so it's safer as the kids are back at school. The council is doing this because they know the garages have asbestos roofs and residents have had no letters telling them of the findings of reports testing for asbestos. The council opened one of the garages without the occupier’s consent. 13.”

Officer report

People who attended

The development management manager presented the application, a submission was brought to the committee, and a housing enforcement assistant director attended to address concerns.

Committee discussion

The committee noted that electric vehicle charging points would be a commercial matter rather than part of the council’s proposal.

“It was noted the provision of EV charging points would be a commercial one and not for the Council to include in the proposal.”

Minutes

The vote

The application was approved with five votes in favour and none against, following a motion and seconding by councillors.

“Moved by Councillor Phil Smith and seconded by Councillor Steve Fritchley RESOLVED that application no. 25/00307/FREG3 be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes