Returning to the admirable policy of encouraging housing developments near to railway stations and other transport hubs, the BBC has an interesting story that relies on the idea that people in such schemes will still want to use cars.
Detailed plans for more than 400 apartments have been approved despite concerns residents will only be allocated 22 parking spaces.
Councillors signed off detailed plans for the development near Cambridge North railway station on Wednesday.
…
Richard Thomas, development director at Blocwork, one of the applicants, told councillors that residents would have an “exceptional opportunity” to travel by public transport, walking or cycling.
The supposed need to provide adequate parking for residents is a constant theme of planning applications but many people, including planners and transport planners, take the view that limiting parking is a good thing as it can reduce car dependency, cutting congestion and emissions; support higher density (as this case shows); improve the viability of public transport; and improve streets and the public realm.
But:
(more…)Richard Williams, a Conservative councillor for South Cambridgeshire District Council, speaking at the meeting, said he was “extremely concerned” about the parking situation.
