Policy T4
Parking standards and car free development
The council will:
a) seek to require all developments in the borough to be car-free to discourage car ownership and private vehicle usage and encourage the use of sustainable transport. On-site parking will be limited to spaces designated for disabled drivers in accordance with London Plan standards, and essential operational or servicing needs.
b) require all new development to be parking permit free, i.e. no on-street or on-site parking permits will be issued in connection with new developments, and the council will use legal agreements to ensure that future occupants are aware that they are not entitled to on-street parking permits.
c) require new and refurbished car parking areas to provide EV charging points in accordance with the London Plan requirements and in locations which are safe and accessible to all users and integrated into the design of the building.
d) require any proposed development (new build, conversion or change of use) to conform to the London Plan cycling and vehicle parking standards and be well-designed in accordance with the London Cycle Design Standards or equivalent best practice guidance. Long stay cycle parking provision should be covered, convenient and secure, and storage for cargo- and adapted bicycles must be considered. Safe and accessible charging provision for e-bikes and e-cargo bikes should be considered for commercial and residential developments where appropriate.
e) seek to ensure new developments support the expansion of car clubs/sharing and micro-mobility modes through the provision of dedicated space for a bay where appropriate, or contributions towards off site provision alongside measures to encourage membership as part of a Travel Plan, where requested by officers.
f) expect all on-site blue badge/disabled parking to align with London Plan Standards whilst minimising the need for parking where possible. On street provision will not be permitted unless otherwise agreed by the Council. New developments that include vehicular access must provide accessible, off street car parking bay for Blue Badge holders even if no other general parking is provided as part of the development.
g) require parking management plans to be submitted for developments that include the provision of new or retained on-site parking.
h) seek contributions towards the review of Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) where a development is shown to contribute to an increase in demand for on-street parking in the local area or have an unacceptable impact on highway safety.
i) support the redevelopment of underutilised car parks for alternative uses that support the delivery of the borough's transport policies and strategy.
j) only permit new taxi ranks where they do not conflict with other policies in the Local Plan.
k) resist the development of gardens and boundary treatments to provide vehicle crossovers and on-site parking.
Car free development
11.29 Managing the availability and provision of parking on new developments helps to reduce car ownership and car use leading to reductions in carbon emissions, air pollution, traffic congestion and reducing vehicle dominance of an area. It means the borough's streets and roads can be used more efficiently and minimal levels of parking on a development site mean the land can be used more efficiently and higher densities can be achieved.
11.30 Car-free development means that no car parking spaces are provided within the site other than those reserved for disabled people and businesses and services reliant upon parking, operational and/ or servicing requirements (for example emergency services, visiting health and care providers, storage and distribution uses). In addition, current and future occupiers are not issued with on-street parking permits. All new residential developments in the borough, including schemes where homes are created through a change of use, should be car free.
11.31 Restraint based parking standards have been identified in LIP 3 as one of the key proposals to achieve the mode share target (89% of journeys on foot, by cycle or public transport by 2041) alongside promoting and encouraging more car free developments.
Blue badge and disabled parking
11.32 The Council recognises that parking provision for disabled people and essential uses such as servicing and operational uses is necessary and will be considered where appropriate. The minimum standards for blue badge parking provision are set out in the Mayor of London's blue badge parking standards for off-street car parking (2006). When considering the provision and location of blue badge parking bays, consideration should be given to the uses of the development and the desire lines/access points for users. The provision of bays should be regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure the level is adequate and that enforcement is effective. Spaces designated for blue badge holders should be located on firm level ground and as close as feasible to the accessible entrance to the building.
EV charging points
11.33 Where on-site parking spaces are provided or retained, electric vehicle (EV) charging points should be provided in accordance with the London Plan requirements to support the development of a comprehensive network of charge points that responds to local need for EV infrastructure and helps increase the uptake of cleaner vehicles in borough.
Cycle parking
11.34 The policy requires any proposed development (new build, conversion or change of use) to conform to the London Plan cycling and vehicle parking standards and be well-designed in accordance with the London Cycle Design Standards. This policy will help us to meet the objective of the Mayor's Transport Strategy that active, efficient and sustainable travel will be the best option in new developments. This policy T4 aligns with policy T6 of the London Plan.
Controlled parking zones (CPZs)
11.35 The borough has high levels of parking stress and therefore there are Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ). CPZs help to manage the demand for parking locally, ensuring that local residents can park. They also limit parking, and opportunities to drive, particularly for those coming into the borough from outside the borough during peak hours and contributing to congestion. CPZs also discourage short trips within the borough, for example between CPZs during the hours of control.
Parking management plans
11.36 A Parking Management Plan (PMP) should outline strategies for managing parking. It should consider factors like current and future parking needs, land use, and the impact of development on parking demand. The PMP should aim to balance the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors while promoting sustainable transport options.