Oxfordshire County Council has withdrawn the most recent updated parking standards guidance for new developments, following discussions with the property sector.
The updated standards caused debate last month at the most recent Oxfordshire Developers Forum meeting, where many developers raised issues with the new requirements.
David Jackson of Savills spoke at the meeting, also signing an open letter to the council containing objections, on behalf of Oxford University Development, as well as the colleges Brasenose, Christ Church, Exeter, Magdalen, New, Nuffield, and St John’s.
The new standards introduced the “Car light” categorisation for residential developments, as well as increasing the distances from certain amenities and infrastructure for the “Car free” designations to still apply.
Key issues raised on the standards included extreme reactions from potential housebuilding partners, policy being seen to be ahead of delivery, and impacts on tenancy demands given the large reduction in standard parking entitlements.
Charles Butters, Oxfordshire Developers Forum strategic lead, said: “Car parking standards are an important issue and we welcomed the chance to debate the topic with the County and our members in June. We welcome the commitment to further engagement on the issue with the Oxfordshire Developers Forum as an updated policy is formed.”
Standards withdrawal
The council has withdrawn the guidance, pending a review and new decision, Cllr Gareth Epps, cabinet member for transport, said:
“If every new development is designed around the assumption that car ownership and car use should continue to grow unchecked, congestion will simply get worse and journeys will become less reliable for everyone.
“However, it’s essential that our approach commands broad support and can be delivered successfully in practice.
“We remain concerned that the growth demands of central government will be unachievable and result in chaotic levels of congestion unless we do something to address future car use. Developers are encouraged to concentrate on how to build more homes, not more car parks.
“By working creatively and collaboratively across the sector, we are confident we can develop an approach that supports sustainable travel while also enabling the delivery of the homes and communities Oxfordshire needs.”
The council says it will: “continue to work closely with local planning authorities, developers, and other stakeholders to review the issues that have been raised and consider whether reasonable refinements can be made”
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When anything is done on behalf or for the colleges, everyone jumps. But, as normal tax payers in Oxford, we’re having to live with increasingly difficult transportation solutions.. LTN’s, congestion charges, parking restrictions, inadequate safe bicycle parking and lanes and expensive buses. Pity, my family have lived in Oxford for over 300 years.