The planning application for the development on Yorke
Square in Richmond will be heard at a special meeting of the
District Council’s Environment and Planning Committee later this
month.
The Council wants to sell part of the site, currently a 30
space public pay and display parking place, with planning
permission for 14 homes, whilst retaining 23 public car parking
spaces. It would use the income generated by the sale to help fund
its proposed office relocation to Colburn.
The meeting will be held on Thursday February 23rd
from 6.30pm at the Zetland Centre in Victoria Road.
Critics of the plans, which have been on public display in the
District Council’s Dundas Street Community Office since the end of
last year, have voiced concerns over a reduction in parking
provision, and the impact of new building in the area.
"It is actually a grossly under-used car park," says Council
Leader, Councillor Bill Glover. "Parking revenue figures show that
an average of just 6 parking tickets are sold per day there, so the
retention of 23 spaces more than satisfies the need for public
parking in that area. The style, design and size of the buildings
proposed closely mirror the stable block complex which stood on the
site until the late 1950’s, and is totally in keeping with the
current surroundings. I sometimes wonder, if the original building
was still there and the Council was proposing to demolish it for
use as a car park, what the public reaction would be."
Anticipating the public interest in the application, Committee
members have chosen to hold the meeting at the Zetland Centre as it
has a larger capacity than the Council Chamber.
"This Planning meeting is to discuss the development of
Yorke square only and no other issues," commented Chair of the
Environment and Planning Committee, Councillor Pat Middlemiss. "I
hope residents understand this, should they choose to
attend."
Notes for Editors
The original date for this meeting was Wednesday
22nd February, but it has been changed due to the lack
of suitable venue on that day.