Policy information sourced from the Barking & Dagenham Local Plan

DMT 2 Car parking

1.

All developments will be required to demonstrate how they contribute to promoting active, efficient and sustainable modes of travel and reducing car use by complying with the car parking standards set out in the London Plan 2021.

2.

Car-free developments should be the starting point for all development proposals on sites that are (or are planned to be) well-connected to amenities by public transport, walking and cycling. Car-free development will have no general parking but should still provide disabled persons parking in line with the London Plan. Developments in areas that are less well-connected will be required to provide the minimum necessary car parking (‘car-lite’) and a high-quality public realm that encourages walking, cycling and public transport use. Early engagement with the Council to discuss appropriate car parking levels that reflect policy is recommended.

3.

Residential developments in the borough will be expected to adhere to the London Plan’s maximum car parking standards. Developers are required to provide clear justification when proposing the maximum permitted parking provision in less-well-connected areas. On larger strategic schemes early engagement with the Council and TFL is necessary.

4.

Where parking is provided in a development it will be expected to:

  • provide a parking design and management plan, which follows the guidance provided by TfL’s best practice guidance on parking design and management, detailing mechanisms for leasing spaces, providing disabled parking to meet future demand and activating passive electric charge points
  • be utilised by the development users and should have strategies to convert car parking spaces to appropriate non-car parking uses, including pocket gardens, parklets, public realm spaces or cycle parking. Over time developments will be encouraged to actively convert their parking spaces into these uses, provided this does not have significant detrimental impacts on street parking, traffic and highways
  • include a car-free agreement within s106 agreements, restricting new residents from accessing parking permits within existing and proposed controlled parking zones
  • identify and measure local parking stress, and if deemed necessary contribute to a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) Programme where existing residents’ parking would be significantly impacted by the additional cars from a development, and this cannot be appropriately mitigated
  • Car Clubs should be proposed for all developments which are ‘car-free’ or ‘car-lite’ and considered for all other developments. In these cases, or if an existing Car Club is located within a reasonable distance of the development, free membership for residents will be required for at least the first two years after first occupation.

5.

All developments are required to ensure that provision of on-street parking does not obstruct walking and cycling desire lines; all car parking spaces should be allocated with no potential for providing more spaces than planned for. Car parking, if required, should be designed in accordance with the London Plan and having regard to local masterplan SPDs, in line with the available best practice guidance.

For more information please see the Barking & Dagenham Local Plan