Car Clubs & Developers: Lessons from

Edinburgh

Chas Ball, Carplus

& Keith Stark, City Car Club

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum

Parking and developments

• Development Control supported car clubs from 2002• Formed basis of Supplementary Planning Guidance in

2004• S.75 funding has supported much of the on-street

parking infrastructure of last 10 years• Has worked to complement expansion of residents

parking zones – and car club cars

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum

Where?

• Limited on-site parking in new developments

• Constrained sites • Designated bays for car

club – both on site and on-street

• Incentives for residents to join

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum

How does it work

• Car club operator consulted by DC about suitability of new location with parking pressures

• Where there is little or no on street parking space available car club provision is an alternative

• S.75 agreement may earmark funding for– parking TRO– for free membership offer to residents of development– first year car costs of operator

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum

How does it work?

• Developer pays S.75 contribution to CEC

• Funds used by CEC for TRO

• Part released by CEC to CCC at point of commissioning of car club service

• Aims to be in advance of occupation

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum

Benefits to all parties

• Helps establish a network of dedicated car club parking bays across city – extending zone of coverage

• ‘Pipeline’ of new bays commissioned each year• Limited take up in some developments - utilised by local

residents and employers

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Big developments

• Quartermile – site of former Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

• Picture – Simpson’s Loan

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum

Quartermile

• At planning approval, surface provision made for car clubs – up to 20 spaces

• Surface parking adopted and enforced by CEC • Limited parking provision for residents and business

tenants - mostly underground • Less than one-third occupied due to economic downturn• Current provision – 3 cars on site

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum

Small development

• 16 flats – Millar Crescent

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum

Morningside

• Developer contributed to set up costs of • On-street parking and car lease cost (2 years)• Car club is new amenity for local residents • Provides compensation for additional traffic movements,

more parking on street etc.

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum

Operator benefits

• ‘Kick-start’ funding for new locations where occupation takes time

• Helps establish marginal bays in areas otherwise commercially unattractive

• Creates “clusters” of cars in neighbourhood – improving confidence of members

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum

Developers

• Some examples of positive response

• Can be a selling point in some locations, some demographics

• Some developers not keen - only want planning approval

• Prefer to sell parking spaces

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum

Future – car clubs and property

• Property sellers particulars to include proximity of car club

• More buyers keen to see locations close to car club bays• Estate agents and solicitors are active members/users of

CCC• Car club bays planned in areas close to new tram stops

Scottish Urban Car Club Forum