People on a city street have voiced concerns that new flats would increase the 'parking chaos' in the area. The proposal would see the partial demolition and extension of the former Garners building in Hall Street, Sherwood, to form 13 flats for Nottingham City Council’s Assisted Living programme.
The development would provide housing for vulnerable adults and this is supported by the Council’s Commissioning and Procurement Team. The project has been recommended for approval at Nottingham City Council's planning committee on June 22.
But concerns have now been expressed that the plans, which include two parking spaces for staff, would cause further parking issues if approved. Jeremy Smith, 38, who works around the area, said: “It’s already difficult to find a place to park. It’s because the parking here is free so it’s always full.
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"Earlier in the day I might still find a spot but after 11am or noon, it’s always a struggle to find a decent spot. More people coming into the area will mean more chaos.”
Ray Lewin, 53, who works on Hall Street, said: “The cars already overflow into the street because of how many people come to the area, we don’t need any more than this!”
Eloise Carter, 40, who lives in Mapperley but comes to the area often, said: “I’ve recently started a class here just over the road, and I struggle to park. There’s The Gym across the lot but you can’t use that parking anymore, you’ll have to pay. It’s a lot more difficult now, we’re so close to shops and Mansfield Road, people who come here to shop also park on the street if the parking is full, so it’s crowded as it is.”
The owner of Willbond Plumbing Centres in Sherwood, who did not wish to be named, said: “If there are more people here there’s a possibility that it might block our business because when people can’t find a place to park, they park on the road.
"There are already too many people at The Gym and they park around here too because the gym’s parking is paid. In that case, it would be bad for us.”
In the proposed building, there would also be a staff area split across the ground and first floor which would provide a communal and a secure staff office. In a Nottingham City Council report, the authority addressed the "significant" concerns about parking.
"There are significant local resident concerns regarding the limited number of off street car parking spaces proposed to be provided and existing pressure for on street car parking within the area. The two car parking spaces are proposed to be provided for support staff use and are related to the proposed staff room building," the report said.
"Staff would also expected to make best use of public transport, walking or cycling as opposed to cars and an on-site cycle store is also to be provided. It is not expected that residents of the proposed development would be car owners or users and that proximity to the Sherwood District Centre and public transport routes on Mansfield Road has also influenced the choice of location for the proposed development. Whilst other vehicle traffic can be expected in association with the proposed development, it is not considered that this would be at levels above that which could be expected at other residential properties.
"Local resident concerns regarding car parking are, however, fully recognised and it is the proposed use of the development as one-bedroomed supported living dwellings that allows a recommendation to accept that car parking spaces for residents of the proposed development to be omitted." The report recommended planning permission be conditioned to limit any future changes to the supported living use and layout of the proposed development as one-bedroom units in order to prevent parking problems.
A planning document, submitted by applicant Hockley Developments Ltd, said: "The application proposals, being for assisted living, provide self-contained one-bedroomed apartments for a vulnerable section of the community which are a priority for the city council. The application site is close to a significant shopping centre which will provide for the needs of the residents and close to the public transport services along Mansfield Road."
