Hull City Council writes to East Riding objecting to new Dunswell park and ride

The Head of Planning at Hull City Council has written a letter to East Riding Council expressing objection to the proposed park and ride at Dunswell roundabout.

In January, plans for a 500-space park and ride on the land south of Raich Carter Way, at the Dunswell roundabout were submitted to East Riding Council. The site would also include a new 12-bay bus depot, three drive-through units, and a petrol station with a shop.

Despite the site of the application falling within the boundaries of East Riding Council, it is just metres away from the border with Hull City Council's territory.

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The letter, sent by the Council's Head of Planning, Dylan Jones, states that the council's objection is not to the park and ride itself. In fact the letter states that Hull City Council shares an "aspiration" with East Riding Council "to create a new park and ride facility to the north of the city on land between the A1079 and A1033 Dunswell roundabout (the site of the application) to help reduce traffic congestion from the north of the city in the corridor leading into the City Centre."

Hull City Council's objection is instead directed towards the other, secondary, elements of the planning application (the bus depot, drive-through units, and petrol station). Documents submitted to East Riding Council state such elements of the application are 'ancillary uses' for public convenience, meaning they are there to accompany the main element of the application, the park and ride. Hull City Council dispute this, claiming in their letter that: "It is clear from the proposal that a bus depot, three drive restaurants, petrol station and a shop do not constitute ‘ancillary uses.’"

Hull City Council argues that there is no need for the extra facilities due to the three petrol stations near to the site and the numerous drive-through facilities at Kingswood Retail Park. Hull City Council therefore concludes: "There is no justification for the need for three drive thru facilities and petrol filling station with shop in this location."

The letter also requests that if East Riding Council is minded to approve the planning application, it should contact Hull City Council "to discuss the implementation of appropriate planning conditions on the decision to ensure that the impact of the scheme on the city can be mitigated and controlled as much as possible."

Opposition to the development has also come from residents who live in houses neighbouring the site. The residents, who live within the Hull City Council boundary, have been joined by a number of senior Hull City Councillors in their campaign against the park and ride.

There have also been concerns raised by Yorkshire Water who have submitted a document to East Riding Council saying, under the current layout of the proposals, "buildings will be sited over the public water supply infrastructure located within the site".

The document goes on to say: "This could seriously jeopardise Yorkshire Water's ability to maintain the public water network and is not acceptable. We therefore object to the development layout as currently shown. I strongly advise that, prior to determination of this application, the site layout is amended to allow for adequate protection of the water mains."

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