A slight reduction in car parking spaces outside the proposed new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport is being justified by having nearly 3,000 car parking spaces within 800 metres of the new development.
Proposals for new highway access to the venue have also been revealed.
And electric vehicle owners will be well served by the provision of 14 new spaces with electric vehicle charging points.
The planning application for the £73 million Marine Lake Events Centre, plus a water and light show on the Marine Lake outside it, will come before Sefton Council’s Planning Committee at The Waterfront Hotel, Promenade, Southport. PR9 0DZ from 6.30pm on Thursday, 27th April 2023.
All are welcome to attend, as space allows.
In his report to councillors, Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie said: “The car parking provision for the proposed development is shown as 142 no. spaces that would be in the public car park immediately adjacent to the proposed building and would be subject to parking charges.
“This is a slight reduction compared to the existing 153 that served the existing Southport Theatre & Convention Centre.
“When compared to the expected number of spaces identified in the ‘Sustainable Travel and Development’ guidance, the proposals represent a shortfall of approximately 100 spaces. “However, less than 400m from the proposed development there are approximately 480 additional public car parking spaces, with 330 of these being available for use all day every day.
“There are a further 2,769 public car parking spaces within 800m of the site (excluding on street pay and display).
Read More: Marine Lake Events Centre Planning meeting to be held in Southport
“Given that the site is within Southport Town Centre, that the car parking standards set out in the guidance are indicative, that there are other car parks within the vicinity and that the site is highly accessible to sustainable modes of transport, a shortfall of on site car parking facilities would be acceptable.”
A Transport Assessment (TA) has also been submitted in support of the application for the Theatre / Events Auditorium and Exhibition / Convention Centre.
Sefton Council’s Highways Manager has been consulted and has no objections.
The site is located off Promenade and vehicle access will be gained via an improved access on the Promenade at the existing roundabout junction with Seabank Road, which will also serve as the access to the proposed car park.
The priorities to the current roundabout will be altered to that of a traditional roundabout rather than the current priorities and the arm serving the site will be widened to accommodate two way vehicle movements and larger service vehicles.
There will also be pedestrian crossing facilities consisting of dropped kerbs and tactile paving provided across all four arms of the roundabout.
The proposed service yard would be at a lower level located centrally in between the theatre and convention centre; this sits at approximately 3m below Promenade.
Derek McKenzie wrote: “Within the car parking provision there would be 15 accessible bays, 5 enlarged bays and 14 spaces with electric vehicle charging points.
“These are in line with the requirements of the guidance and are considered acceptable.
“As well as the public car park adjacent to the building there are parking bays on Promenade fronting the development site.
“These bays will be amended as part of the proposals and will provide disabled parking, taxi drop off spaces, coach drop off spaces, a bus stop and a number of pay and display parking spaces.
“48 cycle parking spaces would be provided for visitors, and a further 12 spaces for staff will be provided within underground servicing areas. The level of cycle parking proposed is largely in line with ‘Sustainable Travel and Development’ guidance and therefore considered acceptable. “The site is within Southport town centre and is very accessible, including the Park and Ride facilities.”
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