Gunnersbury Park Parking Cameras Set To Be Approved
Planning officer recommends go ahead at second attempt
Gunnersbury Park car park visualisation from planning documents
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The revised planning application to install ANPR cameras, pay and display machines and signage in Gunnersbury Park looks set to be approved.
A Hounslow Council planning officer is recommending that permission be given which will allow the park’s management to start charging visitors who drive to the park.
An earlier application had been rejected on the grounds that the signs and equipment were too large and detracted from the heritage site.
There were a number of objections to the application from local residents on a range of grounds including the harmful impact the signs and cameras would have on a heritage setting and because the signs were said to be confusing and difficult to read from inside a vehicle.
The Friends of Gunnersbury Park and Museum also lodged an objection arguing that, although it was accepted the CIC was in need of extra revenue, this was not a planning consideration and should not override other concerns.
The group said in its newsletter to members, “Had the CIC more fully engaged in the planning process, the refusals and subsequent delays might have been avoided and prevented a significant loss of income.”
The planning officer concluded that there was no undue impact on the character and appearance of the listed buildings or conservation area.
The arrangements proposed by the community interest company (CIC) which manages the park have already proven to be controversial. The parking company given the contract to manage the park are not being paid a management fee.
All the revenues from parking charges would go to the CIC with Gemini Park Solutions keeping the revenue from fines. Gemini Park Solutions is a member of the British Parking Association and run a number of other ANPR parking facilities across the country.
It is thought that the registration of cars entering via the Popes Lane entrance will be recorded and then again on exit and, if the times do not match what has been paid for through a phone app or a Pay and Display machine, a fine will be issued. The machine designs shown with the planning documentation suggest they will take coins.
No charges have yet been set for the car park but it has been indicated previously that a level of around £2 a hour will be charged. Blue badge holders will be offered free parking when using one of the facilities by validating their stay at on a touch screen device.
Two electric vehicle charging points will be installed which will also provide revenue for the park.
The main car park is located to the south of Popes Lane in between Gunnersbury Park Tennis Court and Capel Manor College. This car park consists of approximately 250 parking spaces, with a mixture of regular parking spaces and blue badge holders parking spaces. The second car park is located outside Gunnersbury Park Museum and consists of approximately 25 parking bays for blue badge holders only.
The applicant reference is P/2021/1588. The next meeting of the borough planning committee is on 24 June.
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June 14, 2021
