The removal of a York block of flats’ eligibility for parking permits after wrongly being included in the system has left some of its residents fearing for their jobs.
The removal of Glen House, in Hawthorn Grove, from the residential parking system (ResPark) came after a condition requiring its exclusion was not followed through on when it was built.
City of York Council’s transport lead Cllr Kate Ravilious said the situation was unfortunate but the Layerthorpe/East Park parking zone was oversubscribed and doing nothing could threaten similar conditions elsewhere.
But five objections were lodged including from one resident who claimed they could lose their job without parking and a doctor who has to travel across Yorkshire for work.
A condition requiring Glen House’s removal from the ResPark zone was agreed when permission was granted for the block of seven flats in October 2021.
But a report to the council’s transport decision session which ruled on the issue on Thursday (5 December) stated the developer never followed through with the requirement.
Council figures show there were 190 permits issued within the area’s wider ResPark zone at the latest count, compared to an estimated 158 available parking spaces.
Thursday’s meeting heard residents would be able to use their existing permits until they expire.
They will also be able to renew them until the end of 2025 but not beyond that date and no new permits will be issued.
One unnamed resident said they moved into their flat thinking they could get a permit and now faced parking further away and having to walk home alone after dark.
They said: “As a young woman, I do not feel comfortable walking alone from my car to my residence, especially during the nighttime, this presents a significant concern for my well-being.
“The potential loss of parking amenities would force me to consider relocating, which is a daunting prospect given the current economic and rental market conditions.”
Another said: “I do not work in the city and need my car for my work, without the ability to park, I could be out of a job.”
A doctor who lives at Glen House said they would not be able to afford the £1,600 cost of a yearly ticket to use council car parks if the permits were taken away.
They said: “I have just relocated back to York after two years away, moving 300 miles away from my partner to do so.
“This would greatly affect my ability to serve the people of York, and my personal life.”
The residents also claimed there was enough parking in the area despite the council’s claims it was oversubscribed.
Transport executive member Cllr Ravilious said residents had been misled after the developer failed to inform them about the planning condition.
The executive member said: “This is an unfortunate situation, but if we do nothing we risk other areas excluded from ResPark asking for their condition to be removed.
“There’s three bus stops nearby and the flats are about a mile away from the city centre, they have access to a car club and there’s some on street parking available.”