The car park is poorly surfaced, uneven and lacks demarcation between spaces and internal circulation space. The proposals also lack adequate lighting or security measures for the public and is therefore detrimental to user safety. The proposal also lacks adequate provision of disabled spaces. There is no separate provision of pedestrian access and therefore the proposal would result in conflict between pedestrians and vehicles to the detriment of highway safety. The proposal is therefore contrary to policy TR/21 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan 2004.

The proposed car park would be likely to lead to an increase and intensification of the use of a sub standard access into the site from the public highway in Aumberry Gap, over and above its previous use as ancillary parking and loading area for businesses within Aumberry Gap and Pinfold Gate. The proposal would thereby result in a unsafe operation of the highway network contrary to policy TR/6 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan 2004.

The proposal particularly at times of heavy usage, would produce conflict between the users of businesses within Aumberry Gap and Pinfold Gate who rely on the spaces to the rear of their premises for parking by staff and customers, and as agreed previously as part of other planning permissions at the site where spaces were agreed as ancillary to the developments approved. The resulting conflict would be likely to result in a competition for spaces and not only harm the vitality and viability of those uses within the buildings, but also result in potential conflict within the highway due to users parking within the surrounding streets to the detriment of nearby residents and to the safe operation of the highway network. The proposals are thereby contrary to policy TR/21 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan 2004.