Issue - meetings

Decision:

The Deputy Leader of the Council considered the consultation results and agreed:

1.     The options for seven priority areas to carry out the next steps; and

2.     To introduce new byelaws for Shalford Common to support the proposed actions

Reasons:

1.     Compliance with the Council’s statutory obligations as landowner to protect Shalford Common from encroachments in line with the Commons Act 2006 including the prevention of unauthorised parking

2.     Reduction of conflicts and complaints regarding unauthorised car parking

3.     Provision of car parking areas compliant with the Commons Act 2006

4.     Protection of biodiversity on Shalford Common which is a designated Site of Nature Conservation Interest

Other options considered and rejected by the Deputy Leader:

None.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Deputy Leader and any dispensation granted:

None

The Executive Advisory Board received a report and presentation regarding an action plan designed to resolve a number of land management issues experienced on Shalford Common.  The Board was asked to provide their views on the proposals that would be put forward in the consultation.  The outcome of the proposed action plan sought to ensure the Council as a landowner fulfilled its statutory obligations; to protect the common land, to use as a public open space, to provide safe access for recreation but also to recognise the increasing demands for car parking at Shalford Common and identify measures for its effective management.  These measures would be agreed by the Executive at their meeting on 26 November 2019.

Seven priority areas had been identified so to pursue a consistent approach in the land management of Shalford Common for the future.  Approval would need to be sought from the Secretary of State under S38 of the Commons Act 2006 to undertake certain works, including the creation of car parks, provided the works were for the benefit of the Common. 

The seven priority areas included:

1a. Huber’s Garage/Mitchell’s Row

1b. Cricket Club Parking

2.    King’s Road Shop Front

3.    Pound Place

4.    Parrot Pub Car Park

5a. Access track to Dagley Lane Caravan Park

5b. Recycling Car Park

6.    Dagley Lane/Juniper Terraces

7.    Approaches to Ashley Gardens and Christmas Hill

The Board noted the risks and issues associated with the options proposed for each area which included local opposition to parking enforcement or provision of designated parking areas, enforcement was resource intensive, displacement of parking problem to other areas, costs and the availability of parking areas becoming reduced owing to the presence of long-term parked cars.

Prior to consideration of this item, the Board invited Councillor Sue Dunford to speak for three minutes on behalf of Shalford Parish Council who stated the following:

·         Shalford Parish Council welcomed the report and had consulted with the residents on this issue.  There were lots of small cottages in Shalford and the residents of which often had two cars.  The residents were primarily concerned that any parking restrictions implemented must not affect the trade of small businesses which the local community relied upon.  It was recommended that the recycling car park could be used to provide additional parking spaces which would be very useful owing to its position opposite the shops.  Shalford Parish Council recommended that shop owners were included in any consultation.

The following points arose from related questions and discussion:

·         The primary users who parked at Shalford Common used it for either accessing Shalford Train Station or for the local shops. 

·         Need to outline a list of parking restriction options as part of the consultation.

·         Need to think carefully about enforcing time restricted parking in areas where small businesses operate that would be affected by reduced footfall.

·         It was confirmed that officers had consulted with Huber’s Garage.  The main issue remained that two properties on the access track experienced problems with cars parked on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13