{"id":1691,"date":"2014-03-14T14:35:14","date_gmt":"2014-03-14T14:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/abbeylandsresidents.org.uk\/?p=1691"},"modified":"2014-03-18T08:52:55","modified_gmt":"2014-03-18T08:52:55","slug":"why-i-object-to-new-car-parking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/abbeylands\/why-i-object-to-new-car-parking\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I object to new car parking"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the substance of my objection to the proposals at Abbeylands.<\/p>\n

This is yet another insensitive development inside the Dunbar Conservation Area. The site links to 3 private properties, which are listed, and the Parish Hall, part of the Priory cluster.<\/p>\n

Inappropriate past development has meant the integrity of the areas has been undermined. I would have thought this was an opportunity to create a bit of green space in a town centre which is almost completely devoid of nature and natural features or designed landscapes. Greenspace is lacking, which the latest research has identified as a problem. But, if there is an objective demand, it is for affordable housing – which the local plan anticipates this site should be used for.<\/p>\n

At over \u00a32,500 per space I estimate it will cost us almost \u00a390,000, at least. ‘Grassblock’ construction costs would be lower – closer to \u00a31800 per space (exVAT and fees), altough maintenance costs are typically higher. Expect maintenance and related costs of \u00a35,000 per year. Examining the plans, I expect the costs will be perhaps half that and there will be the usual disastrous zero maintenance policy.<\/p>\n

I objected on the following grounds:<\/p>\n

1) There is no evidence of car parking need. The most recent studies show that there is underutilisation of onstreet parking at all times of the day, with minor exceptions and similarly the main parking lots. Corroborating evidence of need has not been presented. Anyone wanting to prove this can take a tour of the car parks which I have done at different times of the day. There is always free parking available in the larger car parks, and on street turnover is very high, with the exception of a few inconsiderate business owners.<\/p>\n

In the middle of June and the middle of the day these car parks were empty – I have walked the perimeter of Dunbar many times and the main car parks are always underutilised at all times of the day (but not empty), except perhaps on a very hot gala day:<\/p>\n