Policy PT2 – Parking

Justification:

Transport can have a significant impact on an area's capacity for growth and sustainability. The Hoe is a complex area that accommodates visitors and residents, with transport and infrastructure serving both. It is centrally located on the Plymouth waterfront, adjoining Plymouth City Centre to the north, the Barbican to the east, and Millbay port to the west. Hoe Park and the waterfront are popular destinations for locals and visitors from wider Plymouth and beyond, with high levels of pedestrian footfall and motor traffic, including coaches. City heritage trails including the Hoe Trail, Plymouth Powerful Women, and the Mayflower Trail encourage walking and exploration of the local area on foot.

Notte Street, which forms the Neighbourhood Area boundary to the north, is an important arterial route and part of Plymouth City Centre's ring road. Citadel Road, which bisects the area from east to west, is also well-used and can become congested during school-run times. A one-way system (with cycle contraflow) is in place to manage cars on the waterfront sections of Madeira Road and Hoe Road, these being very popular pedestrian routes, and part of the South West Coast Path (SWCP) National Trail and National Cycle Route 27.

The railway station is approximately one mile away to the north, approximately 25 minutes' walk. The number 25 bus operates a half-hourly circular route connecting the Hoe, the Barbican and the City Centre. A seasonal open-top sightseeing bus operates between Royal Parade, the Barbican, the waterfront, and Royal William Yard. Bus stops for services to wider Plymouth and the region are located on Royal Parade in the city centre, 10 minutes' walk away. Maintaining and improving public transport connectivity is important to local people.

The local community have expressed a desire to balance the needs of vehicular traffic and pedestrians and cyclists, especially in residential streets and along the waterfront. Both the Plymouth Plan Waterfront Evidence Base and the Plymouth Waterfront Masterplan propose exploration of the potential to restrict vehicle access at certain times to Madeira Road and Hoe Road to free up waterfront space for pedestrians and cyclists (Waterfront Evidence Base, p 7, and Plymouth Waterfront Masterplan, p 39 and p 83). This is broadly supported in a survey of Forum members (see the Forum's Madeira Road Vision survey responses).

Due to its attraction as a visitor destination and proximity to the City Centre, demand for parking space in the Hoe area is high. Most streets have on-street parking bays, which are generally dedicated to resident permit-holders in residential side-streets and shared with pay-and-display visitor parking on roads with direct access Hoe Park and the waterfront.

The Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Supplementary Planning Document encourages car-free development in certain areas of the Hoe Neighbourhood Area to be considered on a case-by-case basis (page 155). The Hoe would likely be one of the most suitable places in Plymouth for car-free development, given its host of amenities and proximity to the City Centre. Policy PT2 therefore adds value to the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local plan, reflecting the benefits of car-free development in encouraging sustainable transport and meeting the requirements of Hoe Neighbourhood Development Plan Policy PT1.

The local community has highlighted the importance of managing parking demand, both by ensuring that new development has sufficient on-site parking and by supporting innovative parking solutions and the introduction of more sustainable forms of transport.

Intent:

Policy PT2 notes that developments should provide parking to meet demands whilst also meeting the requirements of Policy PT1.

Key Evidence Sources:

• Community consultation responses
• Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Policy DEV29
• Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Supplementary Planning Document (pages 153 to 163)
• Waterfront Evidence Base informing the Plymouth Plan
• Plymouth Waterfront Strategic Masterplan
• Plymouth Hoe Design Guide