The amount of parking provision in Ebbsfleet should be determined by the level of accessibility to quality sustainable transport for that site.
Where sites are highly accessible by public transport, walking and cycling, these modes will be as convenient as using the car, and the need for owning and storing cars is reduced
The accessibility of each village within Ebbsfleet will evolve over time as transport systems are introduced and enhanced. The guidance sets out a review mechanism that provides flexibility for applicants to take account of the current transport context when making a planning application.
The requirements provide a robust level of parking that balances the needs of Ebbsfleet’s ‘pioneering residents’ ( i.e. those living in Ebbsfleet before the full public transport system is available) without undermining the viability of city-wide high frequency public transport, or discouraging the adoption of walking, cycling for shorter journeys. A full explanation of the methodology used to calculate these parking requirements can be found in the annex.
parking standards in ebbsfleet
G18 Provide sufficient parking for current levels of car ownership, and balance with the need for flexibility to address changing travel behaviours, emerging technologies and car ownership models in the future, using the parking standards set out for residential, commercial and education uses (see below).
G19 Provide a minimum of 20% of the total no. of parking spaces as unallocated spaces within the public realm, to provide reasonable levels of visitor parking.
Residential Parking Standards
Residential parking requirements are based on future residents ability to access high quality public transport, walking and cycling routes. Applicants should use the Ebbsfleet Sustainable Travel Accessibility Map (below) and Table 1(below), to identify the total level of residential parking provision, which takes account of the planned public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure and services.
The parking standards set out in Table 1 represent the total parking provision for the site. The proportioning of the total parking figure into residential, visitor and van spaces would be through negotiation and agreement with the planning team at EDC.
Applicants should also assess which sustainable travel systems and services will be available when the first stage of their scheme is completed, and consider interim sustainable transport provision / initiatives to address any short term gaps prior to planned sustainable travel services becoming available.
A zero-car scheme will only be acceptable where there is a commitment to market the scheme as car-free, supported by appropriate covenants. Any variation from these parking standards will need to be agreed with the EDC planning team.
Ebbsfleet Accessibility Map : The map shown above has been developed to illustrate the level of sustainable travel accessibility of a site within the Ebbsfleet area. This has been generated from mapping a 5 minute walking radius around proposed Fastrack bus stops, and a 10 minute walk around train stations within the area.
Table 1 : Ebbsfleet Residential Parking Standards
Non-residential Parking Requirements
Commercial developments are expected to be located within comprehensively masterplanned mixed-use neighbourhoods and sites across Ebbsfleet, which provides an opportunity to consider parking provision at a neighbourhood level, and to potentially share parking provision across multiple users and uses.
The shared use of parking areas is highly desirable if it can be demonstrated there is no conflict either spatially or time-wise in regards to the parking demand. Conflict should not occur so long as the shared use developments operate at differing times of day or days of the week, or the development is considered ancillary to other activities (i.e. food and drink within a retail area).
The total parking provision for a commercial or mixed-use development should therefore not be predicated on the aggregation of individual uses within a development, but should;
Consider the existing public parking provision available within the neighbourhood / wider village, and ascertain if there is any ‘spare’ capacity available within that existing provision when considered against the proposed scheme’s uses / user requirements;
Consider the opportunity for shared parking across two or more uses included within the proposed development;
Consider the opportunity for the use of ‘interim’ parking areas that provide parking for short-medium term demand, but could be re-purposed as public realm or development land, as parking demand reduces in the longer term.
Commercial Cycle Parking
With respect to non-residential cycle parking, reference has been made to the local parking standards. A circa 20% increase in the local cycle parking standards has been assumed appropriate to support the planned modal shift integrated within the area-wide transport model.
Cycle parking standards are included in the following tables. It is proposed that these standards are adopted until (and if) empirical evidence becomes available that demonstrates a need for any adjustment.
Cycle parking for the mobility impaired should be provided at the same ratio as vehicular parking for the mobility impaired as defined in the tables.
Education parking standards
Ebbsfleet’s villages have all been masterplanned to ensure most homes are within 5 minutes walk of the local primary school, and most can be accessed by Fastrack. Journeys to and from the schools in Ebbsfleet have the potential to be easier to convert into active travel trips, as the benefits of walking your child to school are significant.
The following principles are promoted;
A public plaza in front of the school entrance with generous seating provision for waiting parents.
Generous, covered and secure cycle hub that is highly prominent at the main entrance, capable of accommodating cycles and scooters.
Drop-off facilities / pupil car parking should be avoided within the school site, or located remotely from the school entrance to promote better air quality, and student safety at entrances.
Provide generous footpaths leading to all pupil entrances, with robust street furniture and street trees / planting on approach roads to prevent informal parking around the entrance area.
All school trust’s operating within Ebbsfleet will be expected to implement the School Travel Plan, to discourage car use, and promote walking and cycling.
Transport strategies and associated travel plans for all schools should therefore prioritise walking and cycling, and discouraging vehicle movement in close proximity to school entrances at school opening and close. This aim will also support Ebbsfleet’s environmental performance and the communities health and well-being, by minimising exhaust emissions, and optimising air quality around the schools.
A first principles review has been completed within the Annex Technical Document, and summarised below, to inform the proposed parking provision for Primary School and Secondary Schools in Ebbsfleet.
Where education uses are combined with other local community uses there may be an opportunity to share parking areas. This is on the basis that the operational times of the various uses will not necessarily coincide. An allowance for shared parking use should therefore be allowed for within the relevant planning submissions
On the basis of the sustainable aspirations described above and informed by the first principles data above, the table below summarises the education parking standards.