A HIGHWAYS report into a planning application to demolish a former block of public toilets and build apartments has raised concerns about a lack of parking.
The toilet block, located on Church Street in Weaverham, were sold at auction last year for £61,000 – more than six times the asking price.
Plans were submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council to demolish the block and build a three-storey apartment building in its place. The building would house one apartment on each floor with an option for a commercial premises at ground level.
In a design and access statement, written by Jay Ashall Partnership on behalf of the applicant, the plan is for the new build to house three apartments.
"It is proposed to make use of as much of the site as possible whilst retaining the new building largely on the existing footprint,” it stated.
"No off-road car parking is proposed on the site due to its size and the aim to not impact upon the conservation area.
“Cycle storage will be proposed to the rear of the site."
However, a report produced on behalf of highways, said the fact no car parking was being offered meant the proposal could not be supported.
It states: “Whilst the site would be considered as being in a sustainable location with access to the facilities in Weaverham, I would still expect a realistic level of car parking to be provided, particularly for the dwelling’s element, so as to accord with the council’s parking standards.
“Without such parking provision this will result in an increase in on-street parking demand in the vicinity of the site along Church Street.
“Given the road layout and width constraints and the existing on street parking that takes place by existing properties this would not be able to be suitably accommodated and would lead to car being parked in unsuitable locations impacting on the safe flow of vehicles.
“I note the comments in the D&A about the public car park opposite - although I understand this is owned by the pub and leased to CWAC, so there could be no long-term certainty of it remaining a public car park.
“The D&A states that cycle parking would be provided to the rear of the site.
“However, there are no details of this store or how it would be physically accessed on which to take a view.
“As it stands I would not support this proposal due to lack of car and cycle parking.”
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