Purpose

In December
2024 Thanet District Council approved the Thanet District Parking
Strategy to provide a framework for how parking progresses over the
next 20 years. This strategy provides a consistency of approach and
sets a framework for developing and improving parking in the
district.
 
One of the
streams of work from the Parking Strategy is to create a
Residential Parking Policy to provide clarity around requirements
and possible restrictions that can be applied in areas where
residential parking is causing problems.
 
The
proposed policy clarifies the elements which need to be met before
residents permit schemes can be considered as well as outline what
such a scheme may look like.

Decision

Cabinet Member for
Parking, Tourism and Culture agreed to consult on the Draft
Residential Parking Policy.

Reasons for the decision

Parking in residential areas is
something that affects a vast majority of Thanet's residents
and something that was key in the parking strategy consultation
responses. This document clearly sets out how residential parking
is dealt with including how and where residents permit schemes can
be applied for. There is no statutory requirement to consult but
due to the significant interest in parking it is important to share
the proposed residential parking policy and receive input from
local residents on the proposals.

Alternative options considered

Alternative 1: 
Not to consult on the proposed policy and move
straight for adoption.
 
Alternative 2:
Not to adopt this policy.
 
These alternatives were rejected as consulting on the
policy will address the current
lack of clarity around residential
parking.