A decision about a proposed new car park at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary has been deferred so that the possibility of one with fewer parking spaces can be explored.
Members of Cumberland Council’s planning committee met at The Copeland Centre in Whitehaven on Wednesday to consider the application.
A planning officer, told members that it was proposed to have 180 staff parking places and added that it would help address existing demand.
The car park is planned for area of grassland covering an area of 0.65 hectares at the infirmary in Newtown Road, towards the north west corner of the site, to the west of a helicopter landing pad.
According to the report the car park would be sited so that the 50-metre radius from the centre of the helicopter landing pad would be maintained.
Additional lighting would be provided as part of the development which is a necessary safety feature for the staff using the car park.
The Green Party’s Perry Connor said the resulting air pollution from the vehicles would have an impact on residents’ health and asked if a health impact assessment had been carried out.
A statement from ward councillor Anne Glendinning (Castle, Labour) was read out at the meeting. She said that it would replace 100 lost spaces and create 80 new ones.
A spokesman from the infirmary said they were looking to increase both staff and visitor parking spaces and there was no other viable location at the hospital.
Councillor John Mallinson (Houghton and Irthington, Conservative) said: “I hadn’t realised there was housing quite so near to the site.”
He said he was concerned over the impact on residents and said he wondered whether it could be deferred so that a slightly smaller development could be submitted.
Councillor Andrew Semple (Cockermouth South, Labour) wondered what public transport options were available and added that he was also in favour of a smaller car park.
Councillor Bob Kelly (Millom, Labour) said he was also concerned about climate change and added: “We should be getting rid of car parking spaces.”
The committee was told spaces had been lost due to recent developments at the hospital and added that the infirmary was clear it needed the additional spaces.
Councillor Jimmy Grisdale (Seaton, Labour) proposed that they approve the application but added: “It is needed but I feel sorry for the residents.”
Cllr Mallinson said he was slightly concerned about the application and there was some merit in pausing it because of the concerns of the impact on residents.
Councillor Tony Markley (Solway Coast, Conservative) seconded the proposal because there was a need for more parking. He added: “It’s visited by lots of people from rural areas who do travel in cars.”
Members were told that the matter could deferred and Cllr Semple proposed that they should defer it and he was seconded by Cllr Mallinson.
When the proposal to approve it was narrowly defeated by three votes to two with two abstentions and the proposal to defer had three members in favour with two against and two abstentions.
Councillor Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dems) suggested there should be shuttle bus services from key locations in Carlisle to the hospital.
