Curo says that without a permanent car park to serve the community hub at its Mulberry Park development at Combe Down, the facility’s future is at risk and overspill parking will impact residents on the estate and “compromise” the bus service.
The Hub at Mulberry Park in Bath
When the former Foxhill MoD site was redeveloped for housing, The Hub was intended to be the focus of Curo’s flagship new development.
Its success however means that whilst many using it are local residents, people from further afield also come, not all of whom can use sustainable transport.
The Hub currently has 14 existing parking spaces for visitors, including one disabled bay.
There are also 19 spaces off-site being used temporarily for staff parking, and four bays west of the site that are for general use.
The land now being proposed for a formal 22-space parking area is the temporary car park on land off Foxhill, opposite Bradford Park Road.
The area has consent to become a park for the community.
In a pre-application enquiry from Curo, Bath & North East Somerset Council warned Curo that only if there is “no alternative” would it consider the principle of allowing the creation of additional car parking.
In its application, Curo says it is now “a regular occurrence” for all parking spaces associated with The Hub to be occupied and for visitors and staff to be forced to park on the street, which has already caused problems for buses to provide a “safe and reliable service”.
“Measures have been taken to encourage the use of sustainable modes of travel throughout the Mulberry Park development, through the implementation of travel plan measures, but the number of cars generated by use of The Hub still exceeds provision.
“Unless additional permanent provision is made for parking associated with The Hub, it will result in increased unplanned parking on the highway, impacting on the use and enjoyment of the development for residents and will compromise the safe and regular bus service provision which is currently in the process of being implemented.”
The Echo recently reported on the concerns of some 150 residents at Mulberry Park about proposals to extend the No 2. bus service through the estate.
In its planning application for the new car park, Curo admits: “The current parking provision has been shown not to adequately support The Hub, evident in overspills leading to indiscriminate parking at the site and increased on-street parking along Mulberry Way constituting pinch points for safe bus passage.”
Curo says the removal of the temporary parking associated with the office staff will “further exacerbate this issue”.
It adds: “Loss of parking facilities associated with The Hub would represent a real risk to the future sustainability of the operation.”
The new car park proposal includes a dedicated access from Foxhill with a gate that would be managed by The Hub. Curo says the current access requires vehicles to drive over the footpath, which could cause “conflicts with pedestrians and safety concerns/issues”.
A fine gravel surface is proposed for the new car park, like that used at Newbridge Park & Ride, as it would be “robust and resilient”.
Curo says the parking area will “fit in seamlessly” with the remainder of the park area.
It will be in “irregular” in shape so as not to look too formal and will be surrounded by grass mounds with trees on.
Wessex Water access concerns
Curo’s application also flags up that Wessex Water is currently unable to access a foul sewerage tank that lies under the park area.
The utility company adopted the tank as part of an infrastructure agreement for Phase 2 of Mulberry Park development. However, the current approved scheme does not provide wide enough tracks or adequate provision for turning to accommodate the vehicle movements associated inspection and maintenance of the tank.
Curo says the proposed access amendments will allow Wessex Water to get to the tank to carry out any necessary works.
The planning reference on B&NES Council’s website is 25/01479/FUL. Consultation ends of 23rd May.
