Policy information sourced from the Watford Local Plan 2021-2038.

ST11.5: Electric Vehicles, Car Parking and Car Clubs

Electric vehicle charging

For all schemes, 20% of parking spaces should have active charging infrastructure for electric vehicles provided, all other spaces should have passive provision. Proposals to increase the availability of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure within the borough will also be supported and encouraged.

Car parking

Development proposals should only provide car parking where it complies with the car parking standards set out in Appendix E. All new development proposals within the Core Development Area should be car-lite. Where these standards and requirements are met, the parking element of the proposal will be supported.

For residential schemes of ten units or more, 20% of all parking spaces should be unallocated.

Disabled parking

For residential schemes of ten units or more, disabled persons’ parking should be provided for at least 5% of units, with a minimum of one space; potential disabled persons’ parking spaces for a further 5% of units should be identified on a plan to facilitate conversion as required; wheelchair accessible or adaptable accommodation should provide one unallocated disabled persons’ parking space per unit.

For non-residential schemes, provision for disabled persons’ parking will be determined on a case by case basis through pre-application discussions and an accurate estimate of potential demand provided in the Transport Statement/Assessment.

All disabled parking spaces should be located within 50m of the entrance to the building that it serves, via level access.

Car club parking

The Council will support the development of car club networks within the borough, particularly those using low emission vehicles.

For residential schemes of ten units or more, developers should identify one parking space per 50 units that would be designated for car club use only, if supported by a car club operator (minimum of one space). Where parking is inaccessible to the public, the Council may secure contributions to fund on-street car club spaces. If no car club spaces are proposed, this should be supported by evidence that there is a no demand from car club operators for a space within the development. Developers may also be required to provide a financial contribution towards car club memberships for new residents.

Powered two wheeler parking

For all schemes where parking is provided, one powered two wheeler parking space should be provided per 30 car parking spaces (minimum of two per site). All other schemes should provide sufficient powered two wheeler parking for the potential demand for their sites, as assessed in the Transport Statement/Assessment.

For more information, please see the Watford Local Plan 2021-2038.