Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Ms. Lowe seconded the recommendations from Cabinet.  The report detailed a proposal to provide additional parking capacity in Sevenoaks Town by ‘decking’ the existing Council owned Buckhurst 2 and/or the Suffolk Way car parks; a review of current parking provision and the results and conclusions from a parking survey undertaken by an independent company in November 2013; details of estimated construction costs for various options for these two car parks and the existing planning policies and scope for both sites; and provided a breakdown of estimated costs per option and the likely estimate of additional income generated whilst providing options for funding the project.  The report also identified opportunities for increasing parking in the areas near the railway station by ‘decking’ the existing Council owned Bradbourne car park.  Members noted the decision already taken by Cabinet to submit a planning application to provide an additional 300 car park spaces on the existing Buckhurst 2 car park by providing a two storey elevated car deck; and requested the Economic & Community Development Advisory Committee to set up a Working Group to look at car parking technology such as smart ticketing.

A Member expressed concern that the proposals would have a detrimental impact on the town through overbuilding and increased traffic and that further consultation should have taken with interested parties such as Sevenoaks Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce and other interested parties.

Another Member commented that proposals for the Buckhurst car park had been proposed over twenty years ago but shelved on a change of administration.  She asked for assurance that the works would be completed in a timely manner and asked whether there would be any environmental enhancements.

The Leader stated that there was unmet demand for long stay parking for businesses and residents already in the town.  There were over 100 applications on the waiting list for business permits, and there was an increasing number of residential units and more over shop accommodation being returned to residential accommodation causing further pressure on spaces.  The difference between now and twenty years ago was that construction methods had moved on and it was possible to build these structures, on site,  quicker and in a more environmentally friendly manner within 6-8 weeks rather than months.  With regards to environmental enhancements these new structures would be cladding with appropriate finishes.  He advised that he had been approached about existing unsightly plans but pointed out that there were no plans as yet that anyone could look at.  Agreeing the recommendation would allow proper plans and a consultation process where people could look at the proposals.  The Town Council were contacted in February and would be part of the consultation process. 

A Member asked whether there would be a comprehensive risk assessment carried out.  Other Members commented on the need for more parking to benefit the residents of the District.  Another Member stated that it was a question of stewardship as to whether to have a sleepy historic town or a thriving vibrant one.

In reply and response, the Leader advised that the old concrete multi storey car parks were the least environmentally friendly options and it was cost prohibitive to cut into the ground, even the cost of providing surface car parking had increased.  With regards to the vibrancy of the town, many of the residents commuted to London, other than shoppers parking was needed for workers within the town.  The Town had ridden the recession better than most but could not stand still. 

The motion was put to the vote and it was

Resolved:  That

                      a)          subject to planning consent, to undertake a Procurement exercise for the project and subject to the successful tender being within the estimated costs as outlined in this report, to award a contract to design and build the elevated car park decks on the existing Buckhurst 2 car park;

                      b)          a budget of £3.5-£4.0 million be approved to be financed by borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board;

                       c)          that delegated authority be granted to the Portfolio Holders for Finance and Resources and Economic and Community Development to, after consideration of the tender evaluation, accept the most economically advantageous tender, to award the contract and authorise expenditure and approvals within the estimated costs outlined in this report and the borrowing approval;

                      d)          that a planning application be submitted for the decking of the existing Bradbourne car park to increase parking capacity in the area adjacent to the railway station; and

                      e)          a planning application be submitted to provide additional parking spaces in the existing Suffolk Way car park by providing either a one or two storey elevated car deck, to allow for longer term provision of additional short stay parking capacity.