VEHICLE PAKING STANDARDS
BACKGROUND
The Parking Standards set out within this Appendix are based on those published in July 2001 by the Essex Planning Officers’ Association (EPOA). Further details on the standards, including their derivation and justification, are given in the EPOA document “Vehicle Parking Standards”.
The standards for car parking are set out as maximum standards in accordance with PPG3 and The Replacement Structure Plan (Policy T12 – Vehicle Parking). The introduction of maximum car parking standards will need to be linked to the provision of adequate on-street parking controls to minimise displacement of parking off-site.
Standards for the parking of cycles and motorcycles are also included, but represent minimum permitted provision, rather than maximum, reflecting the sustainable nature of these travel modes.
Guidance for the provision of parking for people with disabilities is also included.
It is intended that these standards will form a consistent basis for determining planning applications. The EPOA document recognises that District/Borough Councils may consider varying that the guidelines having regard to local circumstances. The standards proposed by Brentwood Borough Council differ from the EPOA standards in relation to the following
- “Schools (Primary and Secondary Education)” and Schools (Further and Higher Education)”
[The Brentwood standards refer to all staff rather than just teaching staff, and include provision for sixth form students.] - “Dwelling Houses”
[The Brentwood standard gives greater flexibility, particularly for larger properties in rural areas, where alternative modes are not available. The amended standard also reflects the relatively high level of car ownership in the Borough, whilst having regard to the PPG3 guidance on achieving a maximum average of 1.5 spaces per dwelling.]
THE APPLICATION OF CAR PARKING STANDARDS
Basis of the Standards
The Parking Standards are based on the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. All standards relate to the gross floor space of new or extended development unless otherwise stated.
Exceptional Circumstances
Whilst standards for car parking are expressed as maximums, there may be exceptional circumstances where the authority will require additional spaces over and above that which the developer may wish to provide e.g. where there are significant implications for road safety which can not be resolved through the introduction or enforcement of on-street parking controls.
In considering application of the maximum car parking standards all applicants will be expected to seek to implement or contribute to the funding of measures that reduce the need for car parking. Where it can be shown that the introduction of all reasonable measures will still result in the level of parking need exceeding the maximum standard, parking provision in excess of the maximum standard may, exceptionally, be considered.
Calculation of the Parking Requirements
Most of the standards are related to floor space area. Thus, where the standard is, for example, one car parking space for every 4 sq.m of floor space, and a development has a relevant floor space of 19 sq.m, a calculation of 4 into 19 gives 4.75. This is rounded down to the nearest whole number to give a total requirement of 4 spaces.
Where a development includes two or more land uses to which different parking standards are applicable, the standard appropriate for each use should be applied in proportion to the extent of the respective use.
Shared Use Provision
Where shared use of parking areas can be achieved without conflict (i.e. where uses are clearly separated in terms of time of the day or day of the week), this is highly desirable, providing that the provision is within the most demanding standard applicable.
Service Vehicles
The onus is placed on applicants/developers to demonstrate that adequate provision has been made on site for loading, unloading and turning of service vehicles. Commercial enterprises should analyse their own requirements in terms of the size, numbers and types of commercial vehicles visiting their premises and should demonstrate to the local authority that any development proposal includes appropriate service vehicle provision. Such service provision should be clearly signed and marked to avoid being utilised as an overflow parking area.
Developer Contributions
Developers will be expected to make contributions to enhance the local transport infrastructure, deal with public transport demand arising from the site and reduce the need to travel by private car. These contributions will enable any increase in traffic to be accommodated and support the provision of alternative modes of travel where the level of activity at the site is in excess of the maximum parking provision identified. Developer contributions towards the cost of introducing on-street parking controls in the vicinity of a site may be required in appropriate circumstances (e.g. where the level of parking requirement to be generated by the development is greater than that which can be accommodated on the site and on-street parking may give rise to highway safety and amenity concerns). (Note: EPOA is undertaking further work on the issue of developer contributions).
Transport Assessments and Travel Plans
In order to consider the total transport implications of development proposals, applications for planning permission will need to be accompanied by a Transport Assessment. The extent and content of Transport Assessments will vary according to the nature and size of the proposed development. Developments that have significant transport implications, including businesses, hospitals and schools, will be expected to submit and adopt Travel Plans. All discussions concerning transport assessments and Travel Plans should involve both the Highway Authority and the Local Planning Authority.
MAXIMUM CAR PARKING STANDARDS
| Use Class A1 – Shops | |
| Use | Standard |
| Non Food | 1 space per 20 sq.m |
| Food | 1 space per 14 sq.m |
Note: In all cases, appropriate provision shall be made for the parking and turning of service vehicles delivering goods to the premises and, where appropriate, delivery vehicles operating from the premises. For cash and Carry and other Retail Warehouses, including Garden Centres, see “Other Standards”.
| Use Class A2 – Financial and Professional Services | |
| Standard | 1 space per 20 sq.m |
| Use Class A3 – Restaurants and Cafes, A4 – Drinking Establishments and A5 – Hot Food Takeaways | |
| Use | Standard |
| Take Away Outlets | 1 space per 20 sq.m |
| Pubs and Clubs | 1 space per 5 sq.m |
| Restaurants | 1 space per 5 sq.m |
| Roadside Restaurants | 1 space per 5 sq.m |
| Transport Cafes | 1 lorry space per 2 sq.m |
Note:
1. “Drive-through” outlets should be considered under the heading of “Roadside Restaurants”.
2. A lower provision may be appropriate in town centre locations where there is good access to alternative forms of transport and existing car parking facilities.
| Use Class B1 – Business | |
| Standard | 1 space per 30 sq.m |
Note: In all cases adequate provision shall be made for the parking and turning of service vehicles delivering goods to the premises and, where appropriate, delivery vehicles operating from the premises.
| Use Class B2 – General Industrial | |
| Standard | 1 space per 50 sq.m |
Note: In all cases adequate provision shall be made for the parking and turning of service vehicles delivering goods to the premises and, where appropriate, delivery vehicles operating from the premises.
| Use Class B8 – Storage or Distribution | |
| Standard | 1 space per 150 sq.m |
Note: In all cases adequate provision shall be made for the parking and turning of service vehicles delivering goods to the premises and, where appropriate, delivery vehicles operating from the premises.
| Use Class C1 - Hotels | |
| Standard | 1 space per bedroom (guest or staff) |
Note: A lower provision may be appropriate in town centre locations where there is good accessibility to alternative forms of transport and existing car parking facilities.
| Use Class C2 – Residential Institutions | |
| Use | Standard |
| Residential Care Home | 1 space per residential staff + 1 space per 3 bed spaces/dwelling units |
| Hospitals | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 3 daily visitors |
| Residential Education Establishments | 1 space per residential staff + 1 space per 2 other staff (Any parking for students with vehicles should be provided in this figure) |
| Use Class C3 – Dwelling Houses | |
| Location | Standard |
| Areas with good access to public transport | 1 space per dwelling (all sizes) |
| Areas with reasonable access to public transport | 1 space per 1 & 2 bedroom dwelling 2 spaces per 3 bedroom dwelling 3 spaces per 4+ bedroom dwelling |
| Areas where no, or very poor, public transport services available | 1 space per 1 bedroom dwelling 2 spaces per 2 bedroom dwelling 3 spaces per 3 bedroom dwelling 4 spaces per 4+ bedroom dwelling |
Note: PPG3 advocates an average off-street parking provision of 1.5 spaces per dwelling as a maximum that should be provided, particularly in urban locations. With high-density developments in high accessibility areas such as town centres, local authorities are encouraged to allow development with little or no off-street parking, subject to safe-guarding of the character and appearance of the area.
The plan area is of a diverse nature and to impose a uniform standard would not be possible or desirable. It also has to be acknowledged that government statements do not seek to restrict the ownership of private cars but offer alternatives to their use. This raises other issues that need to be taken into account when applying the standards. PPG3 also states that parking policies should be framed recognising that car ownership varies with income, age, household type, and the type of housing and its location. Brentwood is a relatively affluent area with high car ownership.
Too rigid an application of maximum standards in existing residential areas could result in on-street parking, raising issues of pedestrian safety and possible obstruction for emergency services. Also, the impact on the living environment must be considered.
In the case of new developments, an average of 1.5 spaces over an estate should be possible.
In areas where access to public transport is good, a maximum of 1 space per dwelling is appropriate. Where access to public transport is reasonable, the standards for particular house sizes should mean that an average of 1.5 spaces should be met through the mix of house types, particularly as other policies in the Plan place an emphasis on the provision of small units. In areas of poor or no public transport access, i.e. particularly the rural areas, it is considered appropriate to allow greater flexibility, as residential development is more constrained and is more likely to be by way of small sites, and public transport is not a viable alternative. Again, any larger site developments can reduce the average number of spaces through the mix of units.
| Use Class D1 – Non-Residential Institutions | |
| Use | Standard |
| Medical Centres | 1 space per full-time staff + 2 spaces per consulting room |
| Day Care Centres | 1 space per full-time staff + 1 space per 4 persons attending + an area reserved for collection and delivery of clients |
| Crèches/Nurseries | 1 space per full-time staff + waiting facilities where appropriate |
| Schools (Primary and Secondary Education) | On merit, but as a general guide: 1 space per 2 daytime staff + 1 space per15 sixth form students Consideration also to be given to waiting facilities and provision for public/school transport as appropriate. |
| Schools (Further and Higher Education) | On merit, but as a general guide: 1 space per 2 daytime staff + 1 space per 15 students Waiting facilities where appropriate, including priority area for public/school transport. |
| Art Galleries/Museums/Public or Exhibition Halls | 1 space per 25 sq.m |
| Places of Worship/Libraries/Reading Rooms | 1 space per 10 sq.m |
Note regarding schools: Developments in urban locations are expected to achieve a lower maximum provision in order to promote more sustainable ways of travelling to school. Transport Assessments and Travel Plans (including Safer Journeys to School) are likely to be required for most applications for development.
| Use Class D2 – Assembly & Leisure | |
| Use | Standard |
| Cinemas | 1 space per 5 seats |
| Other Uses | 1 space per 22 sq.m |
Note: Conference facilities and Stadia are included in “Other Standards”.
Other Standards
The following standards are for uses that are not contained within the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987.
| Use | Standard |
| Cash & Carry and other Retail Warehouses, and Garden Centres | 1 space per 20 sq.m |
| Petrol Filling Stations | 1 space per 20 sq.m of retail space Adequate space should be provided for the requirements of servicing vehicles |
| Motor Service Centres | 1 space per staff + 1 space per 35 sq.m |
| Motor Vehicle Showrooms | 1 space per 45 sq.m display area |
| Taxi or Vehicle Hire | 1 space per staff member permanently deployed at the registered base site + 1 space per 5 registered vehicles |
| Recycling Centre | 1 space per staff + waiting facilities for users of the site |
| Hostel | 1 space per residential staff + 1 space per 2 other staff |
| Caravan Parks | 1 space per pitch +1 space per residential staff + 1 space per 2 other staff |
| Marina | 1 space per 2 mooring berths |
| Transport Interchange | On merit, in relation to location and level of service |
| Conference Facilities and Theatres | 1 space per 5 seats |
| Stadia | 1 space per 15 seats |
Garage and Parking Bay Size
Preferred bay size for cars 5.5m x 2.4m
Minimum bay size 4.8 x 2.4m
Minimum bay size where spaces are laid “end to end” 6.0m x 2.4m
Minimum garage size for cars 5.0m x 2.5m
Minimum bay size for vans 7.5m x 3.5m
Minimum bay size for lorries – Articulated 16.0m x 3.5m
Minimum bay size for lorries – Rigid 12.0m x 3.5m
Further advice on the design and layout of vehicle parking is set out in the EPOA document.
CYCLE PARKING STANDARDS
The provision of convenient and secure parking and related facilities for cycling is fundamental to attracting modal shift to cycling, particularly from single occupancy motorised journeys made over short distances on a regular basis. Parking standards for cycling are, therefore, represented as the minimum provision required. In addition to the provision of secure parking, developers will be required to demonstrate that they have considered additional needs for cyclists, such as lockers, changing and shower facilities.
Where it is not possible to provide cycle parking facilities on-site, developers will be expected to make a financial contribution towards public provision of such facilities. Detailed information on the types and dimensions for cycle parking can be found in the Essex County Council “Designing for Cyclists – Guide to Good Practice”.
At larger development sites, the exact number of cycle parking spaces applied will depend on the individual characteristics of sites and will also be determined in relation to a Travel Plan
| Use Class | Land Use | Minimum Standard |
| A1 | Shops – Food | 1 space per 100 sq.m for staff + 1 space per 100 sq.m for customers |
| A1 | Shops – Non Food | 1 space per 100 sq.m for staff + 1 space per 200 sq.m for customers |
| A2 | Financial and Professional Services | 1 space per 100 sq.m for staff + 1 space per 200 sq.m for customers |
| A3 | Pubs, Clubs, Restaurants, Roadside Restaurants and Transport Cafes | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 25 sq.m for customers |
| B1 | Business | 1 space per 50 sq.m for staff + 1 space per 100 sq.m for visitors |
| B2 | General Industry | 1 space per 50 sq.m for staff + 1 space per 200 sq.m for visitors |
| B8 | Storage or Distribution | 1 space per100 sq.m for staff + 1 space per 400 sq.m for visitors |
| C1 | Hotels and Motels | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 10 beds + 1 space per 25 sq.m restaurant/ entertainment area |
| C2 | Residential Care Home | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 20 beds |
| C2 | Hospitals | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 20 beds |
| C3 | Dwelling Houses | None if garages or private gardens provided 1 space per dwelling (1 bed) 2 spaces per dwelling (2 beds or more + 1 space per 8 units (for visitors) |
| D1 | Places of Worship | 1 space per 5 seats |
| D1 | Health Centres/Surgeries | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per consulting room |
| D1 | Day Care Centres | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 200 sq.m for visitors |
| D1 | Family Centres | 1 space per 5 staff + 1 space per consulting room |
| D1 | Cultural Buildings | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 35 sq.m |
| D1 | Public Entertainment Buildings | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 20 seats |
| D1 | Schools and Colleges | 1 space per 5 staff + 1 space per 3 students |
| D1 | Day Nurseries | 1 space per 5 staff + 1 space per 30 children |
| D1 | Libraries | 1 space per 4 staff + 3 at Branch Library or 10 at Main Library |
| D2 | Places of Assembly | 1 space per 10 sq.m |
| D2 | Sports Grounds | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 4 players |
| D2 | Indoor Sports Centres | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 4 visitors |
| Garden Centres | 1 space per 100 sq.m for staff + 1 space per 200 sq.m for customers | |
| Petrol Station | 1 space per 5 staff + 1 space per 100 sq.m shop floor where applicable | |
| Service Garages | 1 space per 5 staff | |
| Car Sales Showrooms | 1 space per 100 sq.m for staff + 1 space per 200 sq.m for customers | |
| Camping Sites | 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 10 pitches | |
| Marinas | 1 space per 10 moorings | |
| Car Parks | 1 space per 10 parking spaces | |
| Park and Ride Sites | 1 space per 10 parking spaces | |
| Rail Stations | 10 spaces per morning peak service | |
| Bus Stations | 4 spaces per bus bay | |
| Key Bus Stops | 4 spaces per stop |
MOTORCYCLE PARKING STANDARDS
Parking for powered two-wheeled vehicles (PTW) are represented as the minimum provision required. In addition to the provision of secure parking, developers will be required to demonstrate that they have considered additional facilities for PTW users, such as lockers, changing and shower facilities.
| Standard | 1 space + 1 space for every 10 car parking spaces |
| Layout of PTW Parking areas | |
| Preferred bay size | 2.5m x 1.5m |
| Minimum bay size | 2.0m x 1.0m |
ACCESSIBLE PARKING PROVISION
Guidance on the amount of parking provision that should be supplied for disabled people is outlined in the DETR’s Traffic Advisory Leaflet 5/95 – “Parking For Disabled People”, published in April 1995.
Disabled parking spaces should be at least 3.3 m wide and 6.6m long in order to allow the driver or passenger to get in and out of the vehicle safely, and to provide access to the rear of the vehicle for wheelchair storage. Where direct access is provided to a footway at the side or rear, spaces should be at least 2.7m or 4.8 m respectively.
| Car Parks used for Employees and Visitors to Business Premises | |
| Car Park Size | Standard |
| Up to 200 Bays | Individual bay for each disabled employee + 2 bays or 5% of total capacity, whichever is the greater |
| Over 200 Bays | 6 Bays + 2% of total capacity |
| Car Parks used for Shopping, Recreation and Leisure | |
| Car Park Size | Standard |
| Up to 200 Bays | 3 Bays or 6% of total capacity, whichever is the greater |
| Over 200 Bays | 4 Bays + 4% of total capacity |