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This SPD brings together 'good practice' on residential parking tailored to the development scenarios likely to be faced in the differing contexts across the Borough. Crucially, it places this alongside a strong and expanding local evidence base as to the success (or otherwise) of approaches to residential car parking in the Borough and elsewhere in Kent in the post-Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 (Housing) (PPG3) era.

In response to advice in Planning Policy Statement 3 (Housing) (PPS3), work carried out by Kent Highway Services (KHS) culminated in the production of Interim Guidance Note 3 (IGN3) on Residential Parking. This work is taken further forward in this SPD to ensure that the quantum of parking delivered across the Borough is contextually appropriate.

The SPD sets out guidance that is primarily applicable to the creation of new dwellings. Whilst the guidance may also be taken into account when considering extensions to existing dwellings it will need to be considered alongside other considerations such as residential amenity, development context, landscape context and an assessment of harm to users of the public highway.

Ashford starts from the difficult position of having a relatively undeveloped public transport system. Whilst good progress in being made on delivery of enhanced transport choice as part of future growth, the approach taken on residential parking needs to be one that is realistic. Car ownership continues to grow. There are no known government plans to seek to reduce it. Some of the Borough's settlements are relatively isolated with the result that cars form an essential part of many residents' lives.

Inadequate levels of parking provision at or near the residence, coupled with some design approaches that have proved questionable in helping ensure that facilities provided are actually 'well used', are problems that need to be tackled now in order to avoid inappropriate parking as part of Ashford's future. Planned major public transport projects in Ashford such as SMARTLINK will be undermined if the frequency of service is affected as a result of blockages caused by inappropriately parked cars. Such parking also compromises highway safety, obstructs footway users, looks unsightly and can fuel neighbourhood tensions.

Applicants who do not comply with the approach set out in this SPD and then fail to justify why non-compliance will produce a scheme that will work well will be highly likely to have their applications refused.

This consultation has now closed.