Summary:

Options considered:

The provision of a new car park at Hornbeam Road, North Walsham has been secured as part of the wider mixed use development of the former HL Foods factory site by Hopkins Homes. It was intended as an infrastructure investment to support the future growth of the town in the medium to longer-terms, rather than be a facility which would be heavily used in the short-term. Following completion during 2018-19, responsibility passed from the developers, Hopkins Homes, to the District Council and it was agreed that a different charging regime would need to be agreed beyond the Standard, Resort and Coastal classifications used by the authority as per adopted Council policy and the agreed Car Park Order.

The new Car Park Order will not be operational until early July and no formal decisions have yet been taken about the charging regime to be applied at the Hornbeam Road Car Park such that they can be included in the Car Park Order. Cabinet however has considered the impact of the place-making works to be taken forward in North Walsham Market Place during this summer under the Heritage Action Zone project which is going to restrict access to some areas of the town centre for residential and commercial property owners, which in terms of project management it is considered would be made easier if some alternative long-stay free parking could be provided in the town in support of these works.

To keep the car park closed until the Car Park Order comes into effect in July 2021. This option is not preferable as car parking in the town will be limited due to the place-making works.

To use the Hornbeam Road car park as a free long-term car park for the duration of the place-making works, to provide additional parking and to assess demand for the car park ahead of introducing a charging structure.

Conclusions:

Cabinet has considered the impact of the place-making works to be taken forward in North Walsham Market Place during the summer of 2022 under the Heritage Action Zone project which is going to restrict access to some areas of the town centre for residential and commercial property owners, which in terms of project management it is considered would be made easier if some alternative long-stay free parking could be provided in the town in support of these works.  Cabinet consider that the Hornbeam Road Car Park could meet this need at no significant cost to the Council (given that the car park hasn’t existed / been operated until now) and that an initial six-month period of use without charges would be helpful in establishing and understanding future levels of demand.

Recommendations:

Reasons for

Recommendations:

That the Hornbeam Road Car Park, North Walsham is operated on a without charge basis for a period  of 9 months from 1^st April 2022, during which time a longer term charging and management strategy will be developed for this car park asset

To provide alternative, free parking to inimise the impact of the place-making works on parking provision in North Walsham, during which time a longer term charging and management strategy will be developed for this car park asset.

Cabinet Member(s)

Cllr R Kershaw

Ward(s) affected: North Walsham