Appendix 1 – Proposals where objections are recommended to be upheld

1.         Site 1 Church Hill Avenue, Bexhill (Councillor Nuala Geary)

1.1       The proposal at this location is to remove the time limited 2 hours parking bays on the north side of the road.

1.2       Four objections have been received from residents on the grounds that the proposal would increase difficulties for residents with the area already being congested at peak hours. The location is close to shops and a school, unrestricted free parking would therefore be used by staff working at these places. Two of these objections ask that a permit scheme be implemented. One item of support was received on this proposal.

1.3       The proposal follows a request from a resident for the removal of the bays to allow residents to park for longer periods of time.

1.4       Whilst the need for residents to be able to park close to their properties without being required to move their vehicles every 2 hours is acknowledged, it is also recognised that the removal of the current restrictions would encourage non-residents to park for extended periods of time for work purposes or otherwise. We will look at a permit scheme here in the next Rother review. Having considered all the objections, officers are satisfied that there are sufficient grounds to withdraw the proposal.

1.5       At the time of writing, Councillor Geary has not replied to provide their views regarding the recommendation.

1.6       Recommendation: To uphold the objections and withdraw the proposal.

2.         Site 2 Zone F - Cooden Drive, Richmond Avenue, Richmond Close, Richmond Grove, Richmond Road, South Cliff and West Parade, Bexhill (Councillor Ian Hollidge)

2.1       The proposal at this location is to implement a new permit zone.

2.2       134 objections have been received, five of which have since been withdrawn. 19 objections from residents of the proposed zone are on the grounds that there is not an existing parking problem and the proposed restrictions are unnecessary, especially so far from the town centre. 22 objections from residents of roads just outside of the proposed zone are on the grounds of vehicle displacement into roads that will not be able to accommodate the extra demand, such as Terminus Avenue, and others demanding that South Cliff and Southcourt Avenue be included in the proposals.  Many of these 22 objections also state that it’s clearly a money making exercise, doesn’t serve the greater community and express concern of further new zones being proposed in future due to the displacement. 88 further objections received from residents, visitors and commuters of Bexhill on the grounds that the majority of these properties have their own off-street parking, these roads are not used by visitors to the town as they are too far out and it will discourage visitors that use the recreational facilities. These objections also mention the cost of living being a factor with residents not willing to pay to park in the town they live in, the elderly being disadvantaged by the distance they would need to park from the town centre and businesses being affected if commuters are unable to park for free within a reasonable distance. Objectors also mention that Brockley Road has very few residential properties and is regularly underutilised.

2.3       The proposal follows requests from residents of Richmond Road and Richmond Grove for a permit zone.

2.4       Whilst it is understood that residents would like to be able to park outside of their property when they arrive home, all 68 properties in Richmond Road, Grove, Close and Avenue have off-street parking available to them and permit uptake would likely be very low.  61 items of support were received, 51 of which were from residents of the proposed zone.  The level of support for the proposals, broken down by the individual roads, is as follows;

- Of the 186 properties in Cooden Drive within the proposed zone, residents from 5 of the properties support the proposals

- Of the 19 properties in Richmond Avenue, 0 support the proposals.

- Of the 7 properties in Richmond Close, 0 support the proposals.

- Of the 23 properties in Richmond Grove, residents from 19 of the properties support the proposals.

- Of the 19 properties in Richmond Road, residents from 9 of the properties support the proposals.

- Of the 9 properties in South Cliff within the proposed zone, 0 support the proposals.

- Of the 174 properties in West Parade within the proposed zone, 0 support the proposals.

2.5       Richmond Road and Richmond Grove are an average of 8.7m and 7.7m wide respectively - enough room for vehicles to park both sides of the road without impeding traffic, with spaces where the dropped kerbs are for vehicles to pass when needed. It is also appreciated that vehicles often use Richmond Road to park in when visiting Bexhill as it is the first unrestricted road outside of the permit zones, however the zone must end somewhere, and some motorists will always seek the nearest free parking when available. Richmond Road is more than wide enough to accommodate vehicles parking on a daily basis and existing parking on this road is not impeding traffic flow. Whilst Brockley Road is not grossly underutilised, it has been identified as a location that needs reviewing and will be looked at in the next parking review. Permit schemes are looked at across a wider area, not a road or two in isolation, and there must be a demand for it from residents in the area. Having considered all the objections, officers are satisfied that there are sufficient grounds to withdraw the proposal.

2.6       At the time of writing, Councillor Hollidge has not replied to provide their views regarding the recommendation.

2.7       Recommendation: To uphold the objections and withdraw the proposal.