Curo’s plans for a permanent car park at its Mulberry Park development at Combe Down have been refused, despite concerns about more vehicles clogging up local roads and the impact on the estate’s community hub.
The site at the Mulberry Park development | Photo © Bath Echo
When the former Ministry of Defence Foxhill site was redeveloped for housing by Curo, the facility in Mulberry Way known as The Hub was intended to be the focus, but it has been so successful that people from further afield come too, and not all use sustainable transport despite the estate being served by the No. 2 bus.
The nursery at The Hub has 12 allocated spaces, while the rest of The Hub has 14 spaces, and there are an additional four parking bays next to Garden Square.
Land opposite Bradford Park Road is being used for temporary parking for 19 vehicles for Hub staff. There is already planning permission in place for temporary event car parking at the site with a grasscrete surface, but a formal 22-space parking area was being proposed.
It falls within an area set to become a park serving the new community.
In its planning application, Curo said the overall design of the car park would be unchanged other than a different surface intended for more regular use and a “slight reconfiguration”.
Curo had admitted that the current parking provision did not adequately support The Hub and that removing the temporary parking for staff would “exacerbate” overflow parking problems, while the loss of parking facilities associated with The Hub would represent “a real risk” to its future sustainability.
The new proposal included a dedicated access from Foxhill as the current access requires vehicles to drive over the footpath.
Curo said the new access would also allow Wessex Water to inspect and maintain the sewerage tank under the park – the current scheme does not apparently provide wide enough tracks or adequate provision for vehicles to turn.
In their analysis of the plans, B&NES Council planning officers acknowledged that the loss of 700 square metres of public open space for a more formal car park would not adversely affect existing and potential recreational needs, and they were satisfied with the design.
They acknowledged that the proposed new access would be “beneficial” but pointed out that the approved arrangement had been considered acceptable, and that Wessex Water had adopted the tank without the infrastructure now being proposed.
The Hub at Mulberry Park in Bath | Photo © Bath Echo
Their planning report said: “Whilst the area is currently used for parking by contractors / staff, this arrangement is due to cease as the wider development, including the public open space of which it will form part, is completed.
“The applicant contends that as staff have been using this area for parking at present, these vehicles shall be displaced onto the local road network which shall cause a highway safety issue.
“It appears the present arrangement has not discouraged use of private cars by staff due to the convenience offered by such temporary parking being available.”
The report said the proposal would result in “an excessive level of permanent car parking”, adding that it “fails to provide a level of parking provision which contributes to the aims of the climate and ecological emergency, supports creating healthier places, and which reduces the convenience of unnecessary car usage in order to make sustainable transport a more attractive choice”.
There had been 33 objections and 12 comments of support for Curo’s plans.
The Echo this week asked Curo if it would be appealing the council’s decision.
A spokesperson told us: “We’re disappointed that the council has turned down this application, which would have increased parking capacity in the neighbourhood and taken pressure off local streets.
“We’ve made no decision on our next steps and will continue to review all options.”
