Proposals to use part of a Bexhill car park as a council storage facility are set to go in front of Rother planners next week.
On Thursday (October 10), Rother District Council’s planning committee is set to consider an application seeking permission to install up to 42 storage containers at the Beeching Close Car Park.
The application, from the council itself, originally sought to use the entire site as storage facility, which would have effectively forced the closure of the currently free-to-use car park.
Following objections from residents, however, the scheme has now been amended to retain 16 parking spaces on the site.
In a report to the committee, a council planning spokesman said: “Overall, it is considered that the principle of the proposed development … is supported by the Development Plan policies, and it has been adequately demonstrated that there is no available alternative sites for the proposed use, which would have an acceptable impact on car parking provision for the area taking into account the results of the parking survey, retention of 16 spaces at Beeching Close and the close proximity to the public car park at Wainwright Road.
“The development would also have an acceptable impact on the character and appearance of the area, neighbouring amenity and highway safety subject to conditions. The application is therefore recommended for approval.”
In all, the council had received 47 objections to the original proposals for the site. These objectors had argued the original proposals would have had an detrimental impact on nearby businesses due to the loss of the free parking.
At time of publication, no objections have been raised in connection with the amended plans.
Notably, in its original application, the council had said charges could be brought in for the car park if it is not used as a storage facility “due to rising costs of maintaining car parks and a need to increase revenue.” It is unclear at this stage whether the 16 remaining parking spaces will remain free-to-use, however.
The council says the 60-space car park is currently used by around 40 cars during the week and around 20 on weekends.
According to planning documents, the containers would be installed over several phases. The first phase would see 32 containers installed on the site sometime this autumn, which would be used to store food caddies ahead of national changes to waste collections.
A further set of containers would be installed on the site later in the year, which would be used for general storage of council property. The council says these containers would allow it to stop its current use of private storage facilities (some of which are outside the district), reducing costs and improving sustainability.
If approved, the site would be secured through palisade fencing. Drawings also appear to show a security kiosk on the site.
For further information on the proposals see application reference RR/2024/1423/P on the Rother District Council website.
