Council gives the go-ahead for ‘temporary’ car parking

EDGE Hill has been given permission to build a 501 space car park on greenbelt land on the understanding it is ‘temporary’ and may have to be ripped up in two years.

Edge Hill students frequently cause problems by parking on St Helen’s Road, especially during Freshers Week in September, with some cars towed away by police.

Councillors gave the go-ahead for the overspill car park off St Helen’s Road at a meeting last week.

It comes just a month after they denied a similar application.

Edge Hill has amended the plans by removing a proposed turn-off from the main road and promised to make the hard-standing car park a temporary measure while they develop a ‘green travel plan.’

With these revisions in place council officers recommended the plan be accepted and the planing committee voted it through.

But there was some disquiet in the chamber regarding Edge Hill’s attitude towards building on the greenbelt, with one councillor pointing out the only reason they have parking problems is because they put buildings on their previous car parks.

Cllr Andrew Fowler (Conservative, Scarisbrick) said: “To me temporary is temporary. But if Edge Hill is going to go to the extent of kerbing and hard standing that doesn’t seem to be temporary to me.”

Chief planning officer Steve Byron said: “After two years the congestion will have to be removed and the land restored.”

Chairman David O’Toole (Conservative, Aughton) said that people in his ward were worried it was a ‘foot in the door’ for greenbelt development, adding: “The university has never come forward with a five or ten-year plan. Although they seem to be now. I have serious concerns.”

Within 12 months of the start of the development a travel plan will have to be submitted to the authorities to reduce congestion.

The car park only has permission until July 31, 2009, when it will have to be ripped up unless further permission is granted.

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