The creation of 36 off-road parking spaces to serve Penrith’s business parks would solve a “parking nightmare”, a meeting heard.
Penrith Industrial Business Improvement District has applied to Eden Council for permission to create 36 off-road parking spaces at Bowerbank Way, on the town’s Gilwilly Industrial Estate.
At a meeting of the town council’s planning committee, councillors were told there had been issues with nuisance parking in that area and Charlie Shepherd said it was a “parking nightmare”.
According to a statement accompanying the planning application, the removal of parking from the roads would improve the current situation in that vehicles would be able to enter their sites without having to negotiate around parked cars.
The materials proposed would look like grass, but be of a construction which was suitable for cars.
At present, people either working or visiting the area park either along Bowerbank Way or Cowper Road.
The parking along Cowper Road was said to be “extremely dangerous” when people were trying to exit the businesses on the road. It also causes problems with access to the businesses.
“Continued discussions have taken place between the Highways Authority, Penrith Industrial BID, and businesses in that area on how to restrict the parking on Cowper Road,” the statement added.
“However, prior to doing this it was considered that an alternative parking area was needed, hence this application.
“The parking would be available not just for the businesses and visitors to the business but also for people visiting Thacka to avoid parking in the turning head area.
“Due to the position, there is a possibility in the future for electric charging points to also be installed in some of the spaces, but currently this does not form part of this application.”
It was agreed that no objection would be made by the town council, but a request was made for the applicant to explore materials which would allow protection for the grass on the land to be used for the off-road parking spaces.
