11 parking bays at Car Parking Area, Emmanuel Close, Ipswich

What was proposed

The application proposed 11 carriageway parking bays, changes to amenity land, a relocated bin store and kerb realignment.

“Planning permission is sought for the creation of eleven car parking bays on the carriageway of Emmanuel Close; including change of use of amenity land to accommodate bays 1-4; relocation of a bin store; and kerb realignment.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The site included highway and landscaped areas serving flats, with earlier permission for six additional flats and resulting parking difficulties.

“The application site comprises part of the highway and soft landscaped areas on Emmanuel Close, which is identified as being within the Maidenhall, Stoke Park and Chantry Character Area as defined by the Ipswich Urban Characterisation Study Supplementary Planning Document. The site is not within a conservation area. There are no protected trees within or around the site. There are no listed buildings in proximity of the site.”

“In 2020 planning permission was granted for an additional six flats (ref 19/01119/FUL) within an additional block on a former garage site. The six flat development (which included 4 x 1-bed and 2 x 2-bed flats) included six parking spaces but the applicant states that the erection of the flats resulted in a number of car parking spaces being displaced, which has resulted in illegal parking along the carriageway.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the scheme would formalise parking, support access for emergency and refuse vehicles, and have acceptable impacts.

“The purpose of the proposal is effectively to improve the convenience and order of the parking facilities whilst also enhancing access for refuse collection and emergency vehicles. The amount of parking in relation to the number of dwellings is not an issue for consideration in this case with the residences that the parking serves being an established development. There would in any case be no loss of existing laid out spaces.”

“Amongst the representations made by members of the public, all of whom are residents of the Emmanuel Close flats, a majority comment that the proposal does not increase the number of parking spaces, or it indeed reduces them. It is acknowledged that there are more flats than parking spaces and without drastically reducing the soft landscaping areas and risking the area around the flats becoming dominated by car parking this cannot be fully resolved.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Highways raised no objection, while environmental protection and urban design comments supported the scheme subject to air quality, screening and planting measures.

“SCC Highways – No objections were made relating to the initial proposal. Renewed consultation took place in respect of the revised proposal and the response back from SCC Highways was that they had no further comments to make.”

“Urban Design Officer: No design objection to the proposed additional parking if it meets an identified local need. The loss of green space is regrettable, but the prominent recycling bin storage in its current position detracts from the residential setting. The relocated recycling position is into a more formal grassed area overlooked by surrounding housing.”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents questioned the need and number of spaces, requested permits and blue badge provision, and raised concerns about the relocated bin store.

“[name withheld], 38 Emmanuel Close received 22 nd May 2025 [name withheld], 34 Emmanuel Close, received 26 th May 2025 [name withheld], 34 Emmanuel Close, received 26 th May 2025 [name withheld], 26 Emmanuel Close received 26 th May 2025 and 9 th June [name withheld], 34 Emmanuel Close received 9 th June 2025 [name withheld], 42 Emmanuel Close, received 10 th June 2025 [name withheld], Emmanuel Close (number not known) received 16 th June 2025”

“- The proposal adds no new spaces and is unnecessary - Parking Permits needed - Spaces for blue badge holders needed - The proposal would result in fewer parking spaces - There are more flats than parking spaces - Moving the bins will result affect outlook from outlooks - Smells from refuse bins will affect amenity of nearby flats - Revised proposal does not improve on initial proposal - Request to re-site bin store…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Development Management Team Leader presented the report, while councillors discussed parking, permits, bin store design and protected spaces.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to approved plans, bin store screening and planting conditions, with an informative about protecting or allocating spaces.

“Prior to first use, proposals to be submitted, approved and implemented relating to screening of the bin store and a scheme of planting to both further screen the bin store and promote biodiversity.”

“Ipswich Borough Housing are advised to consider a system of protecting car parking spaces or allocating car parking spaces for residents of the flats within Emmanuel Close.”

Minutes