Residents and businesses across Bath are being asked for their comments on planned alterations to Charlotte Street Car Park, ahead of the demolition of Avon Street Car Park.
New spaces will be created on the Parkside Children’s Centre site | © Google Street View 2018
Bath & North East Somerset Council is proposing to extend the south-east corner of Charlotte Street Car Park, on the site of the existing Parkside Children’s Centre, which is relocating, to provide around 100 additional short-stay surface car parking spaces.
This is ahead of work to demolish Avon Street Car Park, as part of the council’s regeneration project at Bath Quays North, which will create new office space, homes, jobs and includes a smaller 320 space basement car park.
As part of the Council’s plan, the Children’s Services teams from Parkside Children’s Centre and 117 Newbridge Hill are moving into nearby 12 Charlotte Street to create a new facility.
The two teams provide social care support to families and some of the most vulnerable in the community.
Councillor Paul Myers, Cabinet Member for Economic and Community Regeneration, said: “This is about meeting a series of priorities where we are able to improve children’s services by bringing our teams together into better accommodation while at the same time supporting our plans to create high-quality employment opportunities through the Bath Quays regeneration scheme and balance the reduction of parking spaces at Avon Street.”
As part of wider transport and parking strategies, B&NES Council says the expansion will maintain an ‘adequate’ number of parking spaces to support short term visitors to the city, which has a positive impact for local shops and traders.
Before the council submits a planning application for the scheme it is seeking people’s comments and is holding a drop-in session on Wednesday 10th October, to view the proposals and meet with members of the project team.
The sessions are being held from 12-2 pm and 4-6 pm in the Bath One Stop Shop Café, 3-4 Manvers Street, Bath, BA1 1JQ.
Alternatively, people can view the proposals and submit feedback from 10th – 17th October via the project webpage at www.bathnes.gov.uk/charlottestcarpark.
Speaking about the proposals, Councillor Sue Craig (Lib Dem, Kingsmead) commented: “This additional provision will be welcomed by local businesses and residents concerned by Avon Street car park being out of use for some time.
“We have already emphasised to Council officers the importance of ensuring there is sufficient overnight car parking space for residents who hold permits, as well as for the cinema and local hotels.”
Councillor Andrew Furse (Lib Dem, Kingsmead) added: “We have also raised concerns around the impact on local residents during the construction phase and particularly with regard to lighting when the new spaces are in use; this must not be intrusive for people who live next to the car park.
“We would also like to see progress made on the project to install charging points for electric cars, as demand for these is likely to grow.”
