40 Use Respark as a strategic planning tool

New developments without parking are likely to put pressure on neighbouring streets but this is easily addressed by Respark which can be granted to the streets but withheld from the new development. But we should be much more ambitious in our use of this tool for regulating how much public land gets made over for private use.

Respark can and should be used to limit and then actively reduce the number of parked cars in targeted central neighbourhoods. Start by removing parking rights entirely from short-term holiday lets as we need visitors to our city to leave their cars at home. Respark should be then priced according to car size to discourage inequitable use of this scarce public resource. And where households opt out of Respark (see no. 37), there is no reason to restore that entitlement after a change of tenure. In time, the cars will thin out, freeing up space for planters, mini parks and covered cycle storage. Such neighbourhoods will attract a self-selecting and growing band of people committed to car-free living. We call on the council to use Respark strategically as part of the local plan to help shape future community and transport development.