A community leader has said there needed to be a ‘proper solution’ that works for all parties after a business submitted additional information over plans for its car park.
Royal Mail has provided further details in relation to its variation of condition application for its delivery office in Skyliner Way, Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds.
There have been concerns from the Moreton Hall community over the proposal, which seeks permission to remove 36 dedicated staff parking spaces due to the current operational needs of the delivery office, including the provision of electric vehicles.
Andy McGowan said the planning process needed to ensure highway safety and the impact on local residents were not forgotten
Staff overspill parking from the Royal Mail site has been a key concern for residents for more than a year. “So we really need to see a proper solution that works not just for Royal Mail's needs, but also the needs of Moreton Hall residents and road users,” said Andy McGowan, vice-chair of the Moreton Hall and Eastgate Residents’ Association.
However, Royal Mail said in additional information provided to West Suffolk Council, the local planning authority, there was sufficient space within the site under the proposed car parking layout to accommodate the expected maximum number of staff on a weekday and the maximum number of fleet vehicles.
Royal Mail said there would be an uplift of 37 spaces onsite from 92 to 129, and a rotational parking arrangement would accommodate both fleet and staff vehicles.
The transport statement said even under peak demand on a busy weekday six spaces would still be available onsite during the day.
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“In order to increase the parking numbers onsite and use the spaces more efficiently during the day the original planning condition needs to be varied with regards to dedicated staff parking bays,” the statement said.
The site currently employs 175 members of staff in shifts across a seven-day working week and has 82 fleet vehicles.
The residents’ group and others have questioned whether the revised parking layout would be sufficient for the busy Christmas period.
Mr McGowan said they were calling on West Suffolk Council and Royal Mail to ensure a number of tests were met if planning permission was granted, including whether the proposal meant Royal Mail staff would no longer need to park on Skyliner Way or residential streets.
Mr McGowan added: “We need the planning process to ensure highway safety and the impact on local residents are not forgotten."
The application comes after a breach of condition notice was served on Royal Mail last year over the parking of fleet and commercial vehicles in an area designated under the existing planning permission for use as private car parking.
Previously, residents have told the Bury Free Press about parking problems where they live since Royal Mail banned workers from leaving their own vehicles in the onsite car park in 2024.