Resolution to grant for a 3 tier decked car park at The Spire Hospital
CSJ Planning have secured a unanimous resolution to grant planning permission at Bristol City Council’s Development Control Committee B for a 3 tier decked car park at the Spire Hospital, in Redland. The scheme will address the serious parking problems encountered by patients, staff and visitors. The hospital serves about 75,000 patients per year and employs 500 staff. Whilst they have managed to successfully reduce staff car usage so far, significant on-site car parking shortages persist.
The site is situated within a former quarry sunk at a significantly lower level than the surrounding townscape and falls within the Downs Conservation Area. The car park will be of high quality design, incorporating a brown roof, timber cladding along with sensitive landscaping which were all considered to minimise impact on neighbours and therefore, appropriate within the site context. Despite the objections, planners and politicians were clear that the air quality, noise and traffic generation arising from the proposal would not be harmful to residents.
The biggest challenges were in the proposed car parking level at such a sustainable location. With CSJ negotiations, the proposed provision of up to 15% below the maximum level allowed by BCC parking standards, along with the submission of Framework Travel Plan securing the provision of more disabled spaces, cycle parking, electric car spaces and car sharing/pool facilities were considered acceptable by both the LPA and the Committee.
