I am speaking on the Conservative amendments DM34 and DM36, respectively being purpose-built interchanges such as park and ride and parking in relation to developments. 
 
Proposed policy DM34 that covers the likes of park and ride, coach stations and lorry parking, as much as it appears reasonably comprehensive, we feel needs strengthening with our amendment. We feel it necessary and appropriate to ensure that any impacts on the South Downs National Park, Local Green Spaces and designated sites of importance to nature are properly considered. 
 
Representing a Ward like Patcham and Hollingbury, which has all these important open spaces rich in flora and fauna I perhaps have an advantage over some to see where the omission of our amendment could result in tragic unintended consequences. 
 
I can understand that overcoming a challenge such as reducing traffic congestion or improving air quality in the city centre could be helped by providing a park and ride facility. 
 
However, if you put that facility right next to a nature reserve or open green spaces you might therefore imagine the negative impacts that would bring. The policy as presently drafted needs to spell out specifically that the city holds these important areas in high regard and that they must be particularly protected. 
 
With respect to DM36 and parking on developments, this has to me and others been a bone of contention. Our amendment I believe resolves the issue.  
 
Development applications have, in my opinion, been able to dodge a proper analysis of parking conditions in an area and it has been too easy to claim that off-street parking isn’t needed for a development because there is capacity on-street. It has always seemed to me that if you pick 9.30am on a Monday morning to undertake your parking survey you are likely to find some streets fairly empty. That then translates into a false perspective because if you were to survey the same location at 8pm on a Saturday evening, you will find the street bumper to bumper full up. 
 
Our amendment introduces a requirement for developers to not take a snap-shot of parking conditions but to provide a robust analysis across a variety of times and days of the week. Our amendment will ensure that a true and proper assessment of parking conditions are considered that can then be reflected in the suitability of a development. 
 
We must move away from a situation where some assessments in planning applications are becoming a tick-box exercise and introduce meaningful data upon which to make sound decisions that have a profound bearing upon people’s lives. I am pleased therefore Madam Mayor to support these amendments alongside the others proposed by the Conservative Group.