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A planning application has bee submitted to Colchester Borough Council by the University of Essex, proposing the building of a multi-tier car park up on campus. The consultation period runs until 15th February. The large scale of the application suggests that this is a project that requires careful scrutiny and consideration from any residents living within a close radius of Wivenhoe Park.

The formal application proposes:

“The construction of multi-deck car park above existing surface level car park, creation of new access to car park from Boundary Road to include taxi drop-off / pick-up area and relocation of existing compactor.”

The land that we are talking about is the existing car park in-between the Sports Centre and the top of Boundary Road:

“As part of the scheme, the University also proposes to relocate the access to the car park and provide a new taxi drop off and pick up facility for South Towers and South Courts.”

The supporting Application Statement [pdf] is an ambitious read, spelling out quite clearly the continued expansion of the University that is planned over the coming years: The Knowledge Gateway and University Meadows accommodation, Wivenhoe House Hotel, the Institute for Conflict Resolution [could come in handy here with the locals...] an Energy Centre, a Student Centre, the Essex Business School and the proposed new car park.

The Statement is introduced by declaring:

“Whilst some 40% of students live on campus, the University still has to accommodate the travel needs of approximately 6,000 students (who live off campus), together with the requirements of over 2,250 staff members, general visitors and the general public who use the various on-campus facilities.”

In short there is a high body count on campus, day in day out. The sustainable lobby is given a nod and a wink, but not much else it seems:

“Although the University has made considerable strides in introducing sustainable transport measures, and thereby encouraging journeys to switch away from the car, there are a considerable number of students, staff members and visitors, for which the car remains, and will remain for the foreseeable future, the only viable means of traveling to and from the University.”

Prey to the God of the Car.

Let’s talk hard numbers:

“There are approximately 1,500 spaces, within the various campus car parks. Whilst a further 250-300 vehicles can be accommodated in two ‘official’ overspill parking areas, which are made available during term time, unofficial parking still takes place on the verges of many campus roads. This ‘unofficial’ parking has to be tolerated due to the lack of available spaces.”

And so it is clear that the 6,000 off campus students and 2,250 staff members all can’t currently park a car in the 1,500 available spaces. But that is assuming that they all have access to a car (highly unlikely) and that they will all be on campus at the same time. The toleration that is spoken of is interesting. It sounds as though the new car park is being proposed to try and appease residents on the Greenstead and Wivenhoe Cross, both of which sometimes become unofficial University car parks. Charging will no doubt be in place as well…

Let’s cut to the chase: what exactly are we talking about? A multi-story NCP car park? Not quite:

“The University proposes to construct a multi-deck car park above part of Car Park B, which is situated in the southern part of the campus, between the Sports Centre building and Boundary Road. The structure will include a roof with the potential to install photovoltaics.”

That’s the potential…

A historical perspective is then placed in the document, stating that the original plans for the campus were to include two multi-deck car parks. The original plans back in the early ’60s also included 27 tower blocks. Much loved though the six iconic towers are, planning applications for 21 more are not anticipated…

The University has past history when it comes to car parks:

“In 1996, planning permission was refused, on environmental grounds, for a 300 plus car park on the grazing marsh at the end of Valley Road.”

You would think once bitten, twice shy.

Pages 8 and 9 of the document are dedicated to ways that the University claims it is implementing a sustainable travel policy. Bicycle provision and facilities, car sharing and pathways all feature. But it still all comes back to the car, otherwise why the reason to slap in an application for a multi-tier car park?

As for appeasing the locals, the economic power of the University is repeated yet again:

“The proposed car park, in that it is central to the University’s proposals, will bring wider economic benefits for the town.”

This is the University remember that is also proposing to close the popular Quayside Cafe down by the Hythe because it doesn’t make “financial sense.” If the application goes through, it won’t just be the micro-bubble that surrounds Wivenhoe Park that is affected. Transport is fluid; it isn’t self-contained by boundaries – not even down… Boundary Road. The A133 from Elmstead and through Colchester, the Hythe, Brook Street, St John’s Road, Avon Way, Ipswich Road and Harwich Road – all can expect an increase in traffic with the knowledge that extra car parking space is available on campus.

The policy of pushing ahead with more cars indicates clearly where the priorities are for the University’s transport policy. It has long since been the aim of Wivenhoe Town Council to put in place a cycle path through a nearby field, providing a safe access route for students and staff wanting to cycle from campus to the town. The market value of the farmland however is way out of reach of WTC. The University has been reluctant to offer any assistance here.

A decision from the CBC Planning Committee is expected by 24th April, by which time the election campaign will be in full swing ahead of the Wivenhoe Cross seat that is up for grabs at Colchester Borough Council. Voting patterns from the past have tended to suggest that it is mainly the residents of Wivenhoe Cross that come out to vote, rather than the large student body that is also registered. It could be argued that the location of the proposed car park doesn’t directly impact on the residents of Wivenhoe, but the extra traffic passing through the University most certainly will.

Cllr Jon Manning will be contesting his seat once again in May. The LibDeb ward councillor will be competing with Labour’s Tyron Wilson, a student at the University. Both candidates face a tricky proposition, should the car park become an election issue. Cllr Manning currently sits on the Planning Committee, but as a committee member, he is unable to share his views until the committee stage.

Tyron Wilson was also approached, and very kindly offered up his thoughts on the car park application. This is a delicate matter for the Labour candidate – he can’t afford to upset those on campus who want the increase in parking provision, yet he must also be seen to be listening to the views of local Wivenhoe residents.

Tyron said:

“I would prefer more focus on schemes such as car pooling to reduce the heavy demand for parking at Essex, but it’s good that the issue is being resolved after so long. I’m pleased to see that the plans make it clear that the University is combining it with sustainable transport initiatives as well though, along with plans for solar cells on the proposed car park, and it is essential these are followed through.

At the same time though, it needs to be remembered that the University aren’t the only ones with a duty to students on transport. The plain fact of the matter is that bus services are horrendously unreliable from the University and this is something First and Arriva need to resolve.”

Funny old business this town planning and the provision of education. Car parks are key to all of this.

Who knew?