Within National Planning Policy Guideline 17: Transport and Planning (NPPG 17) the Scottish Executive promotes sustainable patterns of development to reduce the need to travel, particularly by car. The accompanying Planning Advice Note 57: Transport and Planning (PAN 57) suggests car free housing as one means of achieving this aim.

Car free housing is a comparatively new concept and provides a design solution which is especially applicable in the City Centre or Inner Urban Area where the space for development is limited and access to services, such as public transport and shops, is good. It is a sustainable form of housing that reduces car dependency and traffic growth. The reduction in road space and parking infrastructure within the development gives the opportunity for higher space standards and additional landscaping which will provide a safer and more attractive environment for residents.

Residents of car free housing schemes would be self-selecting and aspire generally to live without a car. The title deeds/tenant’s agreement to such property would restrict car parking.

This policy provides the criteria which should be taken into account in any car free housing development. It does not apply to small infill developments where there is no space available to provide on-site parking due to the limitations of site size.

The Council supports the development of car free housing on suitable sites. Proposals for car free housing will be considered against the following criteria:

1. SITE CRITERIA

To enable the Council to control parking in the area surrounding the development site, developments will require to be located within existing or proposed parking control zones.

Sites must also have:

(a) high frequency public transport within walking distance (300m);

(b) excellent access to local shops and facilities (400m); and

(c) capacity for 20 dwellings or more.

2. PARKING/SERVICING PROVISION

(a) no parking to be provided within the site for residents;

(b) limited parking should be provided at the site edge for visitors, taxis, people with disabilities and occasional use by residents who hire cars in line with the car free parking standard (see policy TRANS 4: Vehicle Parking Guidelines).

(c) a servicing bay, large enough for a delivery lorry, should be provided at the site edge;

(d) access into the site, if required for bin lorries, emergency vehicles, etc. should also be by means of a road with a control gate;

(e) cycle storage should be provided at a rate of at least one space per dwelling; and

(f) parking on internal roads and within property curtilages will be prohibited.

3. PARKING CONTROL/MANAGEMENT

(a) within site - The design of the scheme should positively discourage car entry and provide an entry control system limiting access. The title deeds/tenant’s agreement associated with property would restrict car parking on the site; and

(b) surrounding area - This is the responsibility of the Council through Controlled Parking Zone powers. Residents of car free housing developments will be excluded from obtaining residents parking permits in controlled parking zones.

4. SITE LAYOUT AND DESIGN

(a) the site must be designed to be generally traffic free with priority given to pedestrians and cyclists;

(b) at least 50% of the reduced parking and road requirement needs to be shown to be used to benefit residents through, for example, higher levels of private and communal open space and the provision of higher space levels per dwelling. A high standard of greenspace provision for residents, including play facilities, where appropriate, must be provided; and

(c) safe pedestrian and cycle links must be provided to the cycle and pedestrian networks, public transport and to the nearest local shops and facilities.

The developer is advised to:

(i) establish arrangements for a residents committee to oversee the running of the development along with the use, maintenance and security of car parking; and

(ii) make arrangements for occasional use of a car by residents, at short notice, for journeys where walking, cycling and public transport are unsuitable. This can take the form of a car sharing scheme (giving access to a car without the need for ownership) or links to a local car hire company at preferential rates. It is also suggested that the site be marketed to include the appropriate public transport yearly season ticket for the first year of occupation.