Plans for a micro pub, restaurant and three shops on the final piece of undeveloped land at a retail park off the Avon Ring Road have been approved despite parking concerns. South Gloucestershire councillors granted Lyde Green Retail planning permission for the new buildings at the junction of Willowherb Road and Thistle Close in Emersons Green.
But officers, who recommended giving the go-ahead, came under fire from strategic sites delivery committee members for not insisting on a better car park. The meeting on Thursday, October 6, was told most residents supported the scheme, which already had outline consent, because it gave the community much-needed facilities, but that more should have been done to protect neighbours from the potential for inconsiderate parking.
Cllr June Bamford said that even though yellow lines had recently been introduced at Thistle Close, this might only push the problem elsewhere. She said: “Given there is a primary school and a community centre very close, I am concerned that there should be adequate parking.
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“It seems to be a bit overdeveloped on the site. A lot of people aren’t going to cycle or walk there, they are going to be going with their families in a car.
“I am getting very angry about this. It’s alright being a sustainable site but you’ve got to take people‘s habits and apply some common sense.” Cllr Bamford, who ended up voting in favour of the development, said the nearby Sainsbury’s Local allowed parking up to 40 minutes so turnover of spaces was high but that pub and restaurant customers would stay longer.
A council highways officer told the meeting: “It has to be a balance between getting the parking and the site layout right. The level of parking is considered to be reasonable given it’s a local centre.”
Committee chairman Cllr Colin Hunt said: “I’m between a rock and a hard place because I really want to see the facilities supplied at Lyde Green. It desperately needs it and the residents desperately want it.”
But he said he witnessed queues to get into the Sainsbury’s car park at lunchtime the day before and that some drivers gave up and parked on the new yellow lines. “So, yes, I want these facilities there and I will probably back the motion [to approve] but I don’t think we’re adequately addressing the problem of parking and deliveries,” Cllr Hunt said.
“That is worrying me. I don’t want the residents to be inconvenienced to such an extent and I am so worried about Willowherb Road – although we are putting crossings in there, it’s very close to the primary school and a very large nursery, as well as the community centre.” He told the highways officer to “really re-think what you’re doing” on the site.
The application received 15 letters of objection and nine letters of support from residents. A report to committee said: “Whilst some issues relating to design and parking have not been fully resolved, officers are mindful that the proposals are consistent with the masterplan.
"On balance it is considered that the public benefits of bringing this site into beneficial use outweigh the harm.” Members voted to grant permission by 7-0, with two abstentions.
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