Gosport residents raise parking safety concerns over proposals for 18-home development

An application seeking permission to build 10 houses and eight flats has been lodged for Whitworth Road, with the original plans to include 30 cycle spaces and 13 car parking spaces, now increased to 20.

Joanne Mitchell, of neighbouring Whitworth Close, voiced concerns about the potential dangers for residents the parking situation currently poses, especially after an ambulance called out to her house had problems with access.

She said: ‘The parking is dangerous already in and around the proposed new building. Vans and cars are already parking on double yellow lines and illegally up to junction.

‘Along Whitworth Close, you cannot walk on the paths as vans and cars are parking on the paths, which is exceptionally dangerous to us residents.’

Rebecca Stubbs, also of Whitworth Close, echoed these thoughts in her objection.

She said: ‘Cars are already parked on the corners of the road at the moment due to not enough parking and as a mother of two young children this causes so many problems trying to push the pushchair on the pavement.

‘Having these new builds will increase this problem even further. We strongly object to this taking place, it is absolutely ridiculous to have new properties to that scale without the sufficient parking to not impact on the current residents in the area.’

The road is also affected by traffic congestion from Leesland Infant School during drop off and pick up times.

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David Swann, who also objected, added: ‘From the published plans only 13 car parking spaces for 18 dwellings in an already congested parking area of Whitworth Close will only push parked vehicles further out compounding an already serious parking situation.’

After residents raised worries, the parking proposal was redrawn to include 20 parking spaces on the vacant builders’ yard site, matching Gosport Borough Council guidelines for unallocated spaces.

A spokesman for developer Baily Properties Limited said: ‘Since the original submission we have heard the residents' concerns and we have amended the scheme to provide an increase of parking on the site from 13 to now 20 cars.

‘These revised drawings were submitted to Gosport Borough Council on August 21 and it is disappointing that these revised drawings are yet to appear on Gosport’s planning website.’

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