An outcry over the loss of 2,500 unauthorised long-stay car parking spaces to the south of Leeds city centre has led to council chiefs promising an urgent review over the issue.
As reported on Guardian Leeds on Monday, Leeds councillors heard that a planning inspector had upheld a council decision to serve enforcement notices against seven unauthorised long-stay commuter car parks to the south of Leeds city centre.
The decision sparked a furious debate among commenters both on this blog and over at the Yorkshire Evening Post. Business leaders and local companies in Leeds have also expressed their concern about the impact the decision could have on staff car parking and the subsequest impact on city businesses.
The Guardian understands from a source close to the council that council officers were already looking at further enforcement action at other unauthorised car parking facilities following the planning inspector's decision - including on Whitehall Road.
In a statement released at lunchtime today, councillor Richard Lewis, executive member responsible for city development, said the authority would review the issue of long-stay commuter car parking in the city centre and examine what the council could do to make sure there were adequate facilities for commuters. He added:
"The council understands the importance of long-stay car parking spaces for many commuters working in the city.
"At a time of economic difficulty we recognise the vital need to support the local economy.
"The decision of the planning inspector is the end of a process that started in 2006. However, it does not come into force until the New Year.
"We will be conducting an urgent review of long-stay car parking in this period to look at what the council can do to make sure adequate long-stay car parking facilities are available.
"However, the council has a duty to enforce planning regulations to make sure the planning system is maintained."
UPDATED 3.40PM: A council spokesman confirmed that the review would not include the recent decision by the planning inspector to close the seven long-stay commuter car parks. He said that the council could not challenge that decision. The review will look at the wider long-stay commuter parking issues in Leeds.
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