Contact your Parish Council


Decision details

Report of the Assistant Director of Environment and Regulatory Services - Brunswick Street Pay and Display Car Park Disposal

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Environment (Cttee)

Decision status: Recommendations approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To consider the Brunswick Street Pay and Display Car Park Disposal Decision taken on 22 August 2011 in light of the comments of the Regeneration and Economic Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee following the call-in of the Decision.

 

Decision:

1.  That the Brunswick Street pay and display car park and adjoining garage premises be declared non-operational and surplus.

2.  That the matter be forwarded to the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services for a final decision upon disposal of the site.

 

Reasons for the decision:

Brunswick Street pay and display car park has 66 parking bays and offers long stay parking. The car park is situated on the outskirts of the town centre within the South 2 residential zone.

 

The car park also offers overflow parking for South 2 resident parking permit holders after 18:30hrs during periods of high demand.

 

In recent years, occupancy levels within Brunswick Street pay and display car park has declined, with average occupancy levels below 60% during the day and only 40% in the evening.  The combined effect of the downturn in the economy and the availability of alternative long stay parking closer to the town centre, suggests that it is unlikely that occupancy levels will significantly improve and it is considered that usage will further decline.

 

The garage premises are leased on a contracted out agreement that terminates in December 2011 and will not be renewed.  The Tenant has established itself in alternative premises.

 

A development proposed by a prospective purchaser offers an available parking area which may be utilised for residents during periods of high ’on-street’ parking demand.

 

It is not considered that loss of the car park will significantly impact on local parking availability nor will it affect localised congestion as average ‘on–street’ occupancy levels within the South 2 resident parking bays is recorded at 74% during the day and 79% during the evening.

 

Pay and display equipment currently in operation within Brunswick Street car park can be redeployed to other pay and display parking facilities where demand is higher to ensure improved customer services.

 

 

Alternative options considered:

The proposal to cease the use of the car park could be rejected; however this would prevent the sale of the land

Wards Affected: High Street Ward;

Details of the Committee: None

Contact: Steve Goulette Email: Stevegoulette@maidstone.gov.uk.

Report author: Steve Goulette

Publication date: 22/08/2011

Date of decision: 22/08/2011

Decided: 22/08/2011 - Cabinet Member for Environment (Cttee)

Effective from: 31/08/2011

This decision has been called in by:

  • Councillor Dennis Collins who writes The return on land and property is sound in its current form and the disposal of this asset would not benefit council tax payers."

Accompanying Documents: