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Residents question where new town centre residents will park as plans are submitted for homes with no spaces

05:00, 09 July 2023

Furious residents have questioned where people buying new town centre homes will leave their cars following the unveiling of yet another scheme without parking.

A bid to build flats above a shop in Deal is the latest planned residential development with no dedicated spaces for cars.

Plans to build 17 apartments above The Original Factory Shop in Deal have been criticised for a lack of parking
Plans to build 17 apartments above The Original Factory Shop in Deal have been criticised for a lack of parking

The scheme would see The Original Factory Shop transformed into five separate stores, with 17 apartments created above.

But it has been criticised after it emerged no off-street parking is included in the joint High Street and Middle Street development.

The developers acknowledge there is "no opportunity" to provide spaces, but highlight the presence of public car parks in Middle Street, Park Street, Stanhope Road, and at the town hall and St George's Church.

"However, in order to encourage cycling, two, dedicated cycle stores are incorporated into the proposals," the developers add.

"These stores will provide a total of 42 cycle spaces, which will ensure there are adequate facilities for as many persons as possible to be able to store their cycles safely and securely, of between two and three cycles per unit, within a covered environment, and which will hopefully encourage their use."

Developers highlighted the presence of public car parks in Deal for new residents
Developers highlighted the presence of public car parks in Deal for new residents

The inclusion of bicycle storage has done little to allay neighbours’ concerns.

Commenting on Dover District Council’s planning portal, Karen Marsh said: “Yet another proposed development with no parking.

“Where are the residents meant to park?

“There is precious little parking for residents in the area anyway.

“The car parks should be for visitors to come to the town and shop, eat in the restaurants, etc.

“When Deal has no visitors or shoppers etc because there isn't any parking for them Dover District Council will rue the lack of business rates etc and the kudos of a busy high street.”

The Original Factory in Deal would be broken up into five separate shops. Picture: Planning portal
The Original Factory in Deal would be broken up into five separate shops. Picture: Planning portal

Suzanne Roberts, who runs a restaurant close to the site, added: “We are a business parking permit holder and on many days in town – especially Saturdays and Sundays – cannot find a space despite paying for one….where on earth would the residents [of this development] park?”

Just last month, 16 new homes and three shops were approved to replace the former Royal Leisure Centre in King Street, despite concerns over a lack of dedicated parking.

No spaces are proposed for residents moving into the ex-snooker hall.

Speaking against the proposal, one commenter, Gary Nicholls, wrote: “Sixteen dwellings will require a lot of parking space for which there is no provision.”

Deal Town Council was also against the scheme because of concerns about parking.

It comes as “ludicrous” plans to build 52 apartments in a “tower block” alongside just 10 parking spaces also drew the ire of residents in Dover earlier this year.

Plans for an apartment block with 52 flats and just 10 parking spaces in Dover were refused. Picture: DAA
Plans for an apartment block with 52 flats and just 10 parking spaces in Dover were refused. Picture: DAA

People living in the Malvern Road area said they already struggle to find anywhere to leave their cars, and feared the problem would become worse if it was approved.

While the application – itself a redesign of previously rejected plans for 45 flats and 12 parking spaces – was snubbed in May, a Dover District Council officer’s report said the lack of parking was not an influential decision in the refusal.

“Whilst I acknowledge the concerns of local residents with regard to the quantity of on-site parking being proposed, the site is in a highly sustainable location where minimal parking is supported,” they wrote.

“In addition, KCC highways has not objected to the access, or proposed parking provision, and therefore an objection on highways and parking grounds would not be sustained in this instance.”

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