'No alternatives' to car park on green space, says council

A new car park could be created on a green space in the Swinton conservation area under plans proposed by Rotherham Council.

The site is a grassed area, off Church Street and currently has ‘urban green space’ status in the authority’s own local plan.

They justify creating a car park - with a hard surface - on part of the site, which is bounded by roads and footpaths on all sides, because of parking issues for residents.

Access would be off Chapel Hill, recently made into a one-way street, with a total of ten parking bays, including two reserved for the disabled.

Planning permission is needed for the change and an application has gone in to the council’s own planning department.

Papers state: “The current lack of resident parking is causing motorists to park unsafely on the existing verges which are causing damage to the grass.

“An informal parking area intended for use by maintenance vehicles attending ti the green space is also frequently parked in.

“This will be re-instated as a grassland meadow verge and a knee rail fitted to prevent future unauthorised vehicle parking.

“The site currently has parking for only three spaces and whilst the site is conveniently located for Swinton local centre and is well served by public transport, residents and their carers need to be able to park conveniently nearby in order to support residents to remain in their homes.

“There is a clear need for additional parking in this location for the existing council bungalows which lie just outside of the conservation area.

“There is no other location which is sufficiently close to the bungalows where parking can be provided.”