FEARS have been raised over a lack of car parking spaces in Great Malvern should a housing development on Victoria Road become reality.
Malvern town councillor Roger Yates expressed his concern the town will one day only have a small amount of spaces for its residents and visitors.
His concerns came after the Victoria Road car park was earmarked for 21 new homes as part of the revised South Worcestershire Development Plan, which is currently under consultation.
Members of the public and organisations having until Friday (November 20) to have their say on the masterplan, which aims to earmark thousands of new homes throughout South Worcestershire region.
But with new premises set to be created on Belle Vue Terrace, Coun Yates, who represents the Chase ward, feared there would not be enough car parking spaces in the long term.
In a draft response to the SWDP modifications he said: “If this (Victoria Road plan) is where I think it is we need to pause.
“Recent activity on Belle Vue Terrace involving two commercial establishments, plus the removal of spaces in the car park behind The Unicorn has demonstrated just how near to the edge parking in Malvern is.
“Waitrose car park is virtually filled to capacity at peak times.
“Is it really wise – and even before we factor in the consequences of all the new housing – to contemplate reducing car park spaces?”
Fellow councillors backed Coun Yates’ concerns and agreed to submit his comments as part of the town council’s official response to the plan’s modifications.
But in response chiefs at Malvern Hills District Council said they were sure there would be enough spaces should the plans to build homes on Victoria Road go ahead.
Coun Melanie Baker, responsible for planning and housing on Malvern Hills District Council, said: “The allocation of the Victoria Road car park for housing was first published in 2014 and there was formal consultation at the time and the opportunity to present concerns to the inspector.
“Should a proposal for housing be submitted in the future then the council will consider the loss of car parking spaces, but it’s worth pointing out even without Victoria Road Car Park there would still be more than 300 parking spaces available in Malvern.”
To see and comment on the South Worcestershire Development Plans latest modifications visit www.swdevelopmentplan.org.
Are you concerned about car parking in central Malvern? Or do you think there is nothing to worry about? Send us your views to [email protected].
