21 Apr 2024
The dilemma of parking versus housing has mired a prospective new Harpenden development in controversy.
Improvements to the town’s railway station have been promised for years, but now new plans are proposing the construction of two blocks of flats in the already over-subscribed eastern car park, reducing the limited number of spaces even further.
The 100 apartments will be a mix of one, two and three bedrooms, including affordable housing.
The scheme is by property development company Solum – a joint partnership between Network Rail and Kier Property – which purports to evolve outer-city living “by reimagining the role of railway stations and their surrounding areas”, with already completed projects at Twickenham, Guildford, Bishop’s Stortford and Walthamstow.
The company says it is exploring options to deliver improved accessibility and public realm enhancements alongside high-quality new homes and a decked car park.
Its vision statement says: “We are looking at options to combine the existing car parking into a decked car park at the south of the site. This will create space to introduce two residential development plots, delivering approximately 100 new homes situated either side of a new dedicated station plaza.
“We want the design of the new station plaza to reflect and celebrate Harpenden’s unique character and heritage.
“We are looking at how we can use planting, landscaping, materials and public art to create a people-orientated environment that is safe, interesting and welcoming for station users.
“We are exploring the opportunity improve both vehicular and pedestrian access to the site that may include a new walking and cycling route to the station via Aysgarth Close, a dedicated pick-up and drop-off area and new badge parking spaces adjacent to the station entrance.”
Solum says although the brownfield site is not included in SADC’s draft Local Plan, a multi-storey car park is supported in the Harpenden Neighbourhood Plan of 2019 as a means of alleviating parking pressure at the station and on surrounding roads.
But it has not been met with support from all residents.
One commuter who responded to Solum said the data they presented in support of the scheme at its recent community consultation was flawed.
He argued that suggestions the car park is never fully used were inaccurate because they included public and premium spaces, the latter of which are never more than 50 per cent used.
In a response to the developers, he said: “Your proposal reduces the parking spaces by up to 30%. Most residents that attended your exhibition think the proposal is crazy, it’s also the biggest joke among the morning commuters into London.
“Your proposed flat development does nothing for Harpenden residents and train users, it makes things worse. If these flats are built where would the residents park? Don’t tell me they would only use bicycles or walk, I know the fantasy world you people work in. Where would all the commuters park for 18 months while your proposal was being built? You said to me it wouldn’t be a problem, many hundreds of cars could be parked on the Common.
“Harpenden residents and commuters will not put up with this crazy proposal. You will have an unbelievable battle on your hands and I will see to it that you don’t win.”
Harpenden Society chair Jeff Phillips was more positive about the proposals, with some caveats: “The Society has had brief discussions with the project proposers, Solum. Whilst we welcome the project, which is aiming to provide up to 100 units, the majority of which are badly needed one and two bedroom apartments, there are a number of obstacles that the developers need to overcome.
“The major issue is the availability of parking on both sides of the station during the construction phase, and indeed, the impact on the number of available spaces for public use on completion, notwithstanding the proposed second tier at the south end of the site, and a reconfiguration of the west side parking area. In addition, consideration should be given to opening up a southern access point via Aysgarth Close, but it needs to be sympathetic to the effect on residents, and should not generate traffic problems on Crabtree Lane.
“There are also problems with widening the proposed access from Station Road. The intersection with Station Road will require a major reconfiguration, as it is already a dangerous junction with Carlton Road.”
Nigel Gardner, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, added: “‘I am particularly concerned about the impact of this scheme on parking places.
“Coming on top of the council’s plans to cut free on-street parking bays and axe pensioners parking permits – Solum’s proposal as currently drafted threatens yet more disruption and hassle to the motorist, and negative knock on effects on our town centre.”
A spokesperson for Solum said: “Solum is working on plans to deliver much needed new homes on this brownfield site in Harpenden to help meet the housing demand within the St Albans district council area. The scheme also provides improvements to the station, helps reduce development pressure on the Green Belt and will support a range of upgrades including a new station plaza at the station.
“The scheme will result in a small reduction in the number of parking spaces, which is supported by an independent parking survey on car park usage completed at the station last November. We are continuing to engage with local residents and the wider community before finalising our planning application.
“More information about our plans can be found at www.solumharpenden.co.uk.”
