The appellant proposed to erect a 72 bedroom nursing facility with 24 spaces for staff and visitors. It was explained that this number met the council’s maximum parking standards. A detailed assessment of the likely level of demand had also been made of the existing facility and the likely needs of the new. This demonstrated that a maximum increase of 10 spaces from the current 14 was adequate.
The inspector agreed that the analysis and proposed organisation of the new facility was unlikely to require more than 24 spaces. Even in the event that all spaces were occupied the internal access road provided some scope for overspill parking and if there were a persistent shortage, the site was capable of accommodating additional spaces. The council, in refusing permission, had failed to accept the advice of its officers that parking was adequate. It had not explained why the scheme, in meeting its maximum standards, would cause danger to highway safety. The same applied to its allegation that the scheme would impact adversely on the character of the area through the removal of a protected tree. It had failed to appreciate the nature of the scheme which was based on a series of 12 bedroom modules and the need to make phased provision to allow continuity of accommodation and service provision. The council’s decision was therefore unreasonable and a full award of costs was made in favour of the appellant.
Inspector Alwyn Nixon; Hearing
