DEVELOPERS have been told to provide more parking spaces if they want permission to build 66 homes off Brook Street in Colchester.

Colchester Council’s planning committee deferred Inland Homes’ application after councillors raised concerns.

Rosalind Scott (Labour, Wivenhoe) said the application failed to comply with Essex County Council’s parking policy.

The application is for 27 one-bedroom flats, 34 two-bedroom flats and five-two bedroom houses on land bordering Brook Street, Magdalen Street and a railway line.

A total of 94 parking bays have been proposed. The meeting heard is it 28 short.

Mrs Scott said: “The shortfall is massive. I don’t believe this area should be below our parking policy or that the access through Brook Street is adequate. This route was actually refused in a previous application.”

Her motion for the developer to revise its design was seconded by Lyn Barton (Lib Dem, Shrub End) and was carried by votes five to three.

Theresa Higgins (Lib Dem, New Town and Chris Church) had requested the application be decided by the planning committee after raising concerns about the access road onto Brook Street.

Concerns about congestion in Brook Street and Magdalen Street were also raised.

Mrs Higgins said: “The last application for a new junction in Brook Street was refused on air quality issues.

“These have not changed significantly to warrant a new junction and it poses a risk to the area.

“New Town needs more houses with three bedrooms and this proposal doesn’t have any.

“There is an access from Magdalen Street which hasn’t been in use but it does exist and this is the correct access for this application.

“I’m also disappointed Essex County Council has no objections.”

A planning report said extra cars, a by-product of the development, would increase pollution in Brook Street, which is an Air Quality Management Area due to high levels of nitrogen dioxide, caused by vehicle fumes.

However, officers, who recommended the application be approved, said the developer must mitigate for the increase in pollution.

Jackie Maclean (Conservative, Stanway). said: “One minute we’re killing everyone off and the next minute we’re fine. We’re meant to be trying to improve things.”

The council’s minimum parking standards states one bedroom homes should have at least one car parking space and two bedroom homes should have two. The visitor parking standard is one spaces per four homes.

However, a reduction may be considered if the development is in an urban area which has good links to sustainable transport.

But for this application, the council required 122 spaces.