South Ayrshire Local Plan

Parking

Traffic not only has implications for the environment and safety when moving. Vehicles parked on roads can lead to congestion and a possible danger to pedestrians or cyclists, and can also increase the dominance of cars/traffic on the townscape, especially in residential areas.

Development which occurs without adequate provision of parking facilities may erode the effective use of the existing parking supply, or create pressure for on-street parking. Similar problems may occur if development takes place on existing off-street parking sites. For these

reasons, the Council will seek to ensure appropriate parking standards are achieved as an integral element of development, and locally important car parks are safeguarded.

Parking provision, and the effect of traffic on town centres may be a critical element on the viability of these areas in terms of their attractiveness to customers. Therefore, a balance has to be struck between the continued accessibility of these centres for short-stay retail and business trips and a deterrent to a growth in long-stay commuter traffic. These issues must be addressed without compromising the Council’s aims of encouraging the use of public transport, or alternative transport methods. In light of this, the Council may impose maximum parking standards.

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In all cases, the amount of parking to be provided should reflect the role of the development, the location in which it is situated and the projected capability of existing parking facilities.

NOTE 1
Green Transport Plans may be required to assess the impacts of development on traffic and parking requirements.

NOTE 2
Developers will be expected to provide parking in accordance with the Council’s adopted parking standards, although in Town Centre locations, the relevant roads authority may reduce these standards where frequent and regular public transport provides a viable alternative to private car travel.

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The Council will safeguard existing car parking facilities in strategic locations, and especially those identified on the Proposals Map.