A PLANNING application to increase the amount of car parking spaces near a Kempsey playing field has been withdrawn due to ‘legal findings’ and ‘neighbour opposition’.
The village’s parish council wanted to increase the number of spaces available at the car park off Plovers Rise from 32 to 42.
Parish clerk Sharon Baxter said the in the application form the bays were ‘inadequate’, especially during the weekends when several sports were taking place at the same time.
She added when the car park was full, vehicles were ‘mounting the concrete kerbs’ and ‘parking randomly’ on grass areas.
But now the application has been withdrawn.
Not only have residents complained, but the parish council found out a covenant is in place which protects the land they plan to build on.
Pat and Alan Boocock, who have lived on Adelaide Close since 1984, objected to the plans because the proposed area for the car park extension infringed on the green space between their garden and the playing field.
“This designated area planted with strategically placed trees is for the purpose of minimising noise levels from the play area/car park/motorway,” they said.
“By reducing this area noise levels will increase and privacy will be compromised, so we do not agree with this application.
“We also object to a bund as feel it will be used inappropriately as a cycle track/play area, and being 1.5metres high will in effect allow vision directly into our property.”
They suggested the car park extension should be built on the other side of the field’s pavilion.
Another couple, also of Adelaide Close, stressed they would like to see the current green area between their garden and the existing car park maintained.
They added: “It would be more acceptable to us if additional parking was taken from the field.”
Kempsey Parish Council confirmed in their withdrawal notice they hoped to submit a revised plan ‘shortly’.
