Coulsdon Town councillors have written in objection to the proposed amendment to the car park management plan for Aldi Coulsdon (Ref: 23/02665/CONR).
A Car Park Management Scheme for Aldi was originally submitted and approved on 24th October 2014. This stated the car park would be available for Aldi customers and non-customers. Allowing this to change would be detrimental to local businesses and residents who enjoy the use of a car park close to Coulsdon’s amenities.
Support for the store’s planning application from residents and residents’ associations was conditional on an agreed car park management policy. There was a compromise granting 1.5 hours parking rather than the preferred 2 hours for customers and non-customers alike.
The loss of parking spaces on Lion Green Road and the numerous extra developments in and around Coulsdon are putting extra pressure on the limited number of spaces in the town centre. It would be a retrograde step for Coulsdon businesses (of which Aldi is one) and the town centre as a whole should the policy change.
We strongly object to the proposed change to the store’s parking arrangements. We as local councillors have had a good relationship with Aldi Coulsdon and we and Coulsdon residents would like this to continue.
We hope that the store would wish to continue and build on its strong relationship with the local community.
We ask that the application be refused and the car parking arrangements remain as at present and as agreed at the time planning permission was approved.
Cllrs Mario Creatura, Ian Parker and Luke Shortland
