The council's planning guidance identified the site as falling within an area where its maximum parking standards should be applied at a rate of between 75 and 100 per cent. The maximum requirement was one space per 30m2 of floor space. Since the mezzanine was 152m2 in size, up to five spaces would be required. The appellant only proposed to provide two spaces.
The inspector noted that adjoining roads were heavily parked. In his opinion, providing only 40 per cent of the maximum provision would be inadequate to prevent adverse highway impacts. A suggestion that occupation of the premises should be restricted to the appellant would not combat this deficiency, he decided.
Inspector: Martin Brookes; Written representations
