Coventry officials denied a planning application to convert a student block into a 25-bed HMO due to parking problems. The prior plan also failed.
Developers wanted this change for Gordon Street flats. The prior plan failed last August. It lacked parking spots. Consultants made a transport report in November.
They knew parking was tight. Surveys showed very high street parking demand. The report stated many locals don’t own cars. Census data revealed this fact.
More than half lack cars; flats show two-thirds. The site has buses and is close to town. It’s only an eight minute walk. New HMO residents can’t get parking permits.
Council officers agreed the site is “sustainable.” However, parking remains an issue. High density housing affects car ownership. Terraced houses lack off-street parking spaces. Existing student halls have zero parking spaces.
Policy requires 19 spaces. This is a rise of twelve. Non-students need more parking spaces. More spaces will be taken on nearby roads.
Residents would be most affected by the change. Businesses would also be affected by the change. Developers need fewer flats. This could have less impact on parking.
Officials raised other building issues also. They mentioned outdoor space and poor access to facilities. These weren’t reasons for refusal, however.
