Agenda item

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/017

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704/James Wright, Traffic & Traffic Schemes Technical Officer

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place (CMDE12).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on proposed waiting restrictions on various roads in Witney to address hazardous or obstructive parking. Funding for the proposals has been provided by developers of adjacent land in respect of the proposals at Avenue Two and from the Oxfordshire County Council revenue budget in respect of the other locations.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve waiting restrictions at:

a)        Corndell Gardens

b)        The Newland area

c)        The Crofts

d)        Avenue Two

as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE12) responses received to a statutory consultation on proposed waiting restrictions on various roads in Witney to address hazardous or obstructive parking. Funding for the proposals had been provided by developers of adjacent land in respect of the proposals at Avenue Two and from the Oxfordshire County Council revenue budget in respect of the other locations.

Steve Harris set out the history to this application with regard to The Crofts which in his opinion had been wrongly approved and strongly advising a site visit to appreciate the loss of 2 spaces, the planning application and safety of this junction. Regarding Corndell Gardens he set out a number of points  and objection. At this point in time there was no pressure on on-street parking at Corndell Gardens with no one parking on the area where the double yellow lines were proposed. During the construction of Old Orchard Court vehicles associated with the construction had parked there on regular occasions but that had not been the case since December 2020 and had not noticed anyone else parked there either when they were on site 5 days a week. The residents of Corndell Gardens had made a problem out of something that might happen in the future.  There was no evidence that parking in Corndell Gardens iwa a problem. Corndell Gardens. He was also concerned on behalf of the future residents of Old Orchard Court that if the double yellow lines were implemented then additional vehicles from either Corndell Gardens or Old Orchard Court requiring parking would have no alternative but to park in front of the entrance to Old Orchard Court causing obstruction to the residents of the 18 flats where there were no double yellow lines. Surely double yellow lines there would be more appropriate and only once the apartments were fully occupied and a full survey carried out. He believed the most important element was to reinstate the highway whether it be pedestrian or vehicle which would then allow any overflow parking requirements to be widely available to all.

Kelly Harris spoke in support of removal of the single yellow line from the corner of Church Lane to past the Griffin Pub. However, they were disappointed that after 5 years of talks and tribunals with WODC around parking issues at their in Newland, Witney that the line removal proposal was now not being extended to include their property.  This situation been ongoing since Sept 2016 had caused much unnecessary stress and it was literally a daily nightmare to find a parking space close to their house. Not only affected residents but staff from the industrial estate were all fighting daily for a very small number of street parking spaces in King Fisher Crescent opposite or the lay-by starting at The Carpenters. Including the lining up to our property would relieve Newlands parking issues for us plus 2 of our neighbours.  Having moved into the property in 2009 there were for the first 7 years and at least 20 years prior to that no issues with them parking on the raised area outside our property.  Photos from the estate agents even showed this with the property listed as having parking which was why we purchased the property. This situation had devalued their property.

Catalina Hughes had submitted a representation regarding the 2 flats on Compton Way number 56 and Skylites which had been given planning permission given that there was no parking for them on road already crowded and what steps would be taken to address the dangerous parking. She also asked what plans there were to repair the pavement on the corner with number 26.

Councillor Suzanne Bartington spoke in support of the officer recommendation.

Responding to the the first point raised by Ms Hughes the Cabinet  Memberconfirmed that this was not a county matter.

Having regard to the information in the report before her and the representations m,ade to hjer at the meeting the cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

(a)          to approve waiting restrictions at:

(1)         Corndell Gardens

(2)          The Newland area

(3)          The Crofts

(4)          Avenue Two

as advertised.

(b)          officers asked to explain the rationale for decision and confirm that as much on street parking as possible had been provided on Newlands Road with the resident at 144 Newlands.

(c)           officers asked to confirm details of the proposals on site and discuss wider issues with the local housing developer.

Signed…………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………….