Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Tue 11 Apr 2023

Comment Date: Wed 24 May 2023

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL CONSULTEE COMMENTS FOR PLANNING APPLICATION

APPLICATION SUMMARY
PLANNING APPLICATION: 23/00456/FUL
ADDRESS: Theatre Royal Multi Storey Car Park, Old George Street, Plymouth PL1 2TG
DESCRIPTION: Installation of roof mounted solar panels on floor 12, 1.8m railings mounted on existing concrete wall between floor 11 and 12, installation of solar car ports on floor 11 and associated connecting infrastructure, such as cable runs.

CASE OFFICER: Mike Stone (Planning Officer)
Development Management, PCC Strategic Planning & Infrastructure, Floor 2 Ballard House PL1 3BJ

CONSULTEE: Gary Lester (Transport Officer)
PCC Strategic Planning & Infrastructure, Transport Planning Team, Floor 2 Ballard House PL1 3BJ

Date: 12th May 2023

COMMENTS:
The Local Highway Authority (LHA) would not wish to raise any objections to the proposed installation of Solar Panels, at the Theatre Royal Multi-story Car Park. Comprising of: - Installation of roof mounted solar panels on floor 12 - 1.8m railings mounted on existing concrete wall between floor 11 and 12 - Installation of solar Car-ports on floor 11 - Associated equipment, infrastructure, and cable-runs.

The Solar Panels to provide Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points, would be installed on the two roof decks of the Theatre Royal Car Park. With Solar Panels occupying the Level 12, top deck, and Solar Car-ports being provided on the lower level 11, roof deck. The provision of Solar Panels powering EV charging points for electric vehicles, also supports the Councils Carbon Reduction aims. The proposal would result in the loss of approximately 59 ' 60 car parking spaces on floor 12, reducing the capacity of the car park down to 553 parking spaces.

The two upper decks, 11 & 12, of the car park are the least used, and typically demonstrate a very low parking use. Furthermore, referring to the accompanying Design & Access Statement (DAS), an assessment of the City Centre parking provision carried out in 2018 apparently showed that, even prior to the changes resulting from Covid 19, there is an over provision of car parking spaces within the City Centre. Which would support some reduction in the availability of parking spaces, and therefore considers that some loss of parking is acceptable in this case. In particular as it would facilitate the installation of sustainable energy EV charging points. With the accompanying DAS setting out and considering the full range of the impacts of the proposal, in terms of the associated Council policies.

SUMMARY:
The Local Highway Authority (LHA) would not in this case wish to raise any objections to the associated loss of public car parking spaces, associated with proposed installation of Solar Panels and EV charging points at the Theatre Royal Multi-story Car Park.

Recommendation: No Objections


Gary Lester
Transport Planning Officer
Officer authorised to sign on behalf of the Service
Director for Strategic Planning & Infrastructure