At an Ashby Town Council meeting on Monday 8 September, residents spoke out against the planning application for a new 92 space public car park to be built on Bullen's Field on Prior Park Road. 

During the meeting, numerous concerned residents objected to the proposal, stating increase traffic, dangerous road conditions and poor location as key reasons why the planning application should be refused. 

Ken Ward of Ashby Civic Society spoke at the meeting, raising the point that 92 cars would be too many on such a quiet, narrow road, especially due to the close proximity to a senior citizens' estate. 

Residents raised their concerns at the Ashby Town Council Planning and Transport Meeting (Photo: ATC)

After the Town Council meeting, the Civic Society met to discuss the matter further.  They said that, without proper improvements to the footpath and roadway, it would be a danger to old people travelling to town centre every day. 

'At present,' said Ken Ward, 'there is not enough room for a buggy to fit on the pavement and they have to travel on the road. [...] Whilst we do need more parking capacity, so many cars could make the Prior Park/ South Street junction gridlocked and a potential accident black spot.' 

Other residents also raised their concerns at the meeting, with one gentleman saying the pavement 'is not big enough for two Zimmer frames or old people, people with dogs or children, scooters.' 

Another resident claimed that area is a 'drugs den' and would be made worse by the addition for a car park. 

There are concerns the 92-space car park would worsen congestion (Photo: Google Maps)

Furthermore, issues were raised over the width of the road as cars often park on the side of the road, making it hard for two cars to pass each other on the road. This would make access to the new car park difficult. 

Residents also said they had been 'blindsided' by the Council, with little warning that the planning application had been submitted and many local people were unaware of the proposal until the day before or day of the meeting. 

The Town Council reassured them that the reason behind this was because the planning application had only very recently been submitted.