< CAR PARK REPORT Car Park Report Appendix 1a Public Consultation on the need for a Car Park Upgrade Some prior reviews of the Melbourn Car Park had been undertaken: In July 2000, South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) published its Appraisal of the Conservation Area. On the subject of ‘intensification’, it states: “There is continuing demand for development in the larger gardens, particularly along the High Street. This form of development threatens the character of the conservation area by diminishing the extent, quality and value of the green spaces that were identified above being of fundamental importance. The character of the village is one of ribbons of frontage buildings with deep space behind. This appearance is what the Conservation Area must protect”. The Appraisal’s Suggested Enhancement section is dominated by the central public car park, “… which presently has a negative visual impact in terms of the qualities of its surface materials, buildings, furniture and fences. This is a large space with a great potential to make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area”. It states: “The Central Car Park, which is well used and which fills an important function, represents a strategically located valuable open space, but has an intrusive effect on the appearance of the village because of the layout (vast, tarmac-surfaced areas, surrounded by containers, and by its design is turned away from the village)”. This car park has also been associated with a high level of antisocial behaviour, of particular concern to the police and adjoining residents. As further background the Parish Council in August 2010 acquired a lease of the car park from SCDC. It has proposals for its early improvement, to resolve the above problems and also to enhance the Safer Routes to School aspects of it. Melbourn Village Plan 2012 These conclusions had been noted in the Village Plan research. It was a conclusion from this document, finally published in January 2012, that ‘the improvement of the central public car park should be progressed actively by the Parish Council’. This became Action 7.1 in the Village Plan Report, given ‘High’ priority. No further guidance was given on the nature of any improvements. RETURN TO THE TOP < CAR PARK REPORT