In an application recommended for approval at the May 14 meeting of Ceredigion County Council’s development management committee, the county council sought permission for the expansion of the existing public Maes yr Afon car park in land formerly occupied by Arriva Bus depot, which has already been demolished, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth.
The Maesyrafon pay and display car park provides car parking spaces for 97 vehicles, six of which are designated disabled spaces and is located on the northern part of the application site.
The development would provide 251 spaces in total.
Since the demolition of the bus depot the site has been fenced off and is used as storage space for the council, provides a temporary depot for the Authority’s Street Cleaning Services and hosts a monthly farmers market.
Aberystwyth Town Council has welcomed efforts to provide additional parking spaces in the town, but objects due to concerns over the development’s impact on flood risk in the area, saying a full flood risk assessment must be carried out before this application can be considered.
Concerns from members of the public have also been raised, saying the removal of a wall between car park and Maesyrafon would exacerbate flooding in area, also raising concerns over the removal of trees, a loss of parking for residents, and the need to introduce a parking permits scheme.
A report for members said: “Full planning permission is sought to combine the existing Maes yr Afon car park with the old Arriva bus depot site to make a single enlarged car park to cater for 251 vehicular spaces.
“A dedicated EV zone will be provided to cater for 17 vehicles and 20 disabled parking spaces will also be accommodated. A single access point directly off Park Avenue will be created and the existing access point to Maesyrafon will be closed off to vehicles.
“Works on the boundary of the site sees the removal of six trees, however a replanting scheme will ensure that 19 new trees are planted. The existing boundary wall between Maesyrafon and the current car park will be removed and replaced by a 4m wide path and tree replanting.”
Speaking at the meeting, Mair Benjamin of Aberystwyth Town Council’s Rheidol ward raised concerns, saying that, while the car park expansion was supported, a wall which would be removed provided flooding protection, citing an RNLI evacuation of properties when the river had risen during flooding.
Cllr Benjamin also called for greater protection for cyclists.
Local member Cllr Endaf Edwards also raised concerns about the loss of the wall and the need to provide protection for cyclists.
A call for a site visit ahead of any formal decision was defeated by nine votes to five, the later recommendation of approval passing.
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