Demand for parking is rising in Bridgnorth, inquiry is told
Opponents of proposals to put a shopping development on Bridgnorth town centre car park claim demand for parking has increased since the scheme was lodged.
A planning inquiry over plans build five retail units in Old Smithfield was told that the need for spaces has risen and that a blueprint to develop hundreds of new homes in the town will only add to the pressure.
Developer Zirlan Land Limited wants to put the new shops on part of the popular car park. But campaigners backed by some retail businesses in the town launched a petition against the plans which has attracted 6,800 signatures opposing the bid.
The application is being heard at a four-day public inquiry at Shire Hall, in Shrewsbury.
Jack Smyth, representing Bridgnorth Chamber of Commerce, told the hearing: "It is common ground that the vast majority of visitors come to town by car. Bus services have declined in recent years and particularly significant is the reduction of the town centre bus service 101 from a half hourly service to an hourly one last year.
"This means that arrivals by car and the consequential need for car spaces have risen, not fallen, since the applicant first promoted its proposal.
"Surveys of businesses within the town show that car parking availability is regarded as poor by two thirds of respondents.This is supported by the applicant's own recent shopper questionnaire survey, which supports the Town Centre Health Centre. It shows the most popular reason that respondents disliked the town centre was 'not enough parking spaces available' and the most popular improvement that respondents would like to see is 'more parking spaces available'.
"The proposed allocation of 500 dwellings in Bridgnorth will increase demand for town centre parking."
Christian Hawley, representing Shropshire Council, said: "The council recognises that the Old Smithfield car park is popular, this is perhaps unsurprising given its location and its modest cost. The council further recognises that for a short period of time on Saturdays the car park if reduced to the proposed level of spaces would not be able to meet the car parking requirements of exiting users and users of the proposed retail units.
"The principal reason for the additional car parking demand on Saturdays being the combination of peak trading along with the closure of part of the Meredith's car park for the Saturday market. The proposed reconfiguration of the Innage Road car park will to a degree mitigate the unmet demand imposed at this time but will not of itself meet it fully."
"In light of the identified demand, the proposed mitigation and consideration of the additional factors relevant to car parking the council as highways authority consider that the impact of the development would not be severe," Mr Hawley added.
Transport consultant Paul Hanafin told the hearing that changes to car park strategies in the town, such as the introduction of three-hour limits at some sites would improve turnover rates and prevent bay blocking.
