Note: This is now a historical document. You can see more on the work performed here.
We were first informed of the WDC’s plans for the car park when a member sent us the attached papers for the WDC Executive meeting on12th October 2011.
WDC meeting re Abbey Fields car park 12 Oct 11
Following this on Monday, 31st October 2011 there was meeting with WDC officers and the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services, the 3 Ward councillors for Abbey ward, a representative from WCC Highways/ Traffic, and 3 representatives from St Nicholas Church including the vicar.
We were informed that there was general agreement that the car park is unsatisfactory now, that the surface should be better; and the drainage is a serious problem and the re- surfacing gives an ideal opportunity to sort it out thoroughly. English Heritage has been very helpful and has given consent to the proposals.
Abbey Fields Car Park Approval_of_Scheduled_Monument_Consent_from_English_Heritage Feb 12
There was general agreement that –
- Sundays will NOT have any charges;
- That charges will operate Monday to Saturday9am to 6pm
- That there will be a 2 hour free parking period before charges are imposed
- That local residents with Parking permits will not be charged
- That local residents without permits but with no available on-street or alternative off –street parking will be looked on favourably eg concessionary rates for a season ticket
- Local businesses will have the option of buying one or more season tickets to share among staff
- One or two trees that are unhealthy now will be removed but there will be new landscaping especially along theBridge Street frontage.
Following this FOAF got a second opinion on the trees that were to be removed as they included this beautiful Red Oak:
Unfortunately it was confirmed that the trees were unsafe and would have to be removed.
Please note – the Planning Application for the work to lay out and create the new parking arrangements, has now been submitted and published.
The reference is – W 12 / 0028 – ‘Re-surfacing of existing car park and provision for pay and display parking charges machine’
The details are attached herewith
Abbey Fields Car Park Details_of_Proposal Feb 12
Abbey Fields Surfacing_Proposals Feb 12
Abbey Fields Car Park Construction_Details Feb 12
Abbey Fields Car Park Design Access_Statement Feb 12
or you can view a hard copy of these documents at the One-Stop shop at the Library.
The case officer in the planning department is Penny Butler.
Any comments should be sent in to her or to the Planning Department at WDC, Riverside House, Milverton Hill , Leamington, CV32 5QH, by 20th February.
We are informed that the principle of charging is not strictly part of the planning process, so we should be sending comments relating to the physical changes, the effect of new lighting, the impact on the neighbourhood, possible change to local character and Conservation Area etc etc.
The latest on this is the planning application has been declared invalid until the bat report and tree report have been submitted. These two reports have now been completed although we believe that until the problem of drainage from the site is solved it will not be put before the Planning Committee. We will let you know when this appears on the agenda.
Abbey Fields car park bat report
For all the latest reports see: