GREENHITHE PARKING REVIEW

At a meeting of the Joint Transportation Board on 6 December 2011 at Dartford Borough Council it emerged that more than two hundred (200) vehicles have been removed from Greenhithe streets thereby improving traffic movement and safety related pressures they had caused. It is therefore clear that the introduction of CPZs have been effective in deterring commuter parking in residential streets. 

However what the report failed to mention was the positive impact the pay and display regime  was also having on the Public Car Parks which has had the effect of freeing up additional  visitor parking.  In total we understand that there are nearly Six Hundred (600) less commuter related vehicles parked in and around the Streets near to Greenhithe Railway Station each day. This is clearly welcome news and a job well done resulting from the Councils efforts, which many of our members believe would never have come to fruition had it not been for the marina planning application.  A copy of the full report that went before the Joint Transportation Board can be downloaded via the following link: Chairman’s Update Greenhithe Parking Review

The images below taken mid-morning show just how much parking space is available at Greenhithe during the week. Many residents will remember that prior to the introduction of on-street parking controls, all previously available Public Car Parking spaces and those on the surrounding streets were occupied by commuters. 

Greenhithe Parking Review Slide Show

Greenhithe Parking:

Dear Greenhithe Resident

Parking is an emotive issue and whilst we acknowledge this and the effectiveness of the Marina Madness campaign run by the Greenhithe Community Group, it is clear that those inexplicably expressed fears, however understandable, are in fact incomprehensible and no longer justifiable in planning terms.

Most Greenhithe residents’ now live within a Residents’ Parking Zone (RPZ) Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) which allow anyone who lives in the zone to apply for a permit. Dartford Borough Council cannot refuse to issue a parking permit to a genuine resident in the zone.

To ensure that Greenhithe Residents remain a priority of the RPZ, and that the marina development, if allowed, will not worsen or add to any existing on-street parking problems, the developer is proposing that marina staff and users (including berth holders, members and visitors) not be allowed to apply for a residents parking permit, with the only exception being if they reside in a property without off road parking such as those on the High Street.

This can be secured by a planning condition placed on the granting of permission along the following lines:-

“Before the development hereby permitted begins [or is occupied] arrangements shall be agreed in writing with the local planning authority and be put in place to ensure that, with the exception of disabled persons, no berth holder / employee of the marina development (unless entitled to do so as a Greenhithe resident) shall obtain a resident’s parking permit within any controlled parking zone which may be in force in the Greenhithe area at any time”.

Greenhithe Marina (Management) LLP

GREENHITHE MARINA

Greenhithe Marina

Good news folks, new plans for a marina at Greenhithe are currently been drawn up. The Applicant GMMLLP has appointed a new management team and they seem to be off to a flying start. 

CAN YOU HELP

We have received a written request from the developer who is keen to provide support for local community groups operating within Swanscombe and Greenhithe.  The types of groups/organisations they would like to contact and help are those that might like an opportunity to visit the marina at off peak times, say during the day or early evenings.

Obviously this offer is conditional and subject to planning consent, the developer would appreciate hearing from you directly or via byway of recommendations from our members and readers regarding local community groups, sailing clubs, organisations, church groups, book clubs, and bingo clubs etc. that you know of, and who you think may benefit or be in need of somewhere to meet up. 

Artist Impression Greenhithe Marina

"It seems to me that the marina clubhouse would be an ideal spot for local community groups to come along and enjoy afternoon tea on the river".  

Sounds great to you, then please get in touch by email gmra@greenhithemarina.com 

or you can contact the developer directly on info@greenhithemarina.com   

 We have had a few suggestions in so far:

1.      Cambria Sea Scouts Group,

2.      The Greenhithe Community Group,

3.      Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents Association,

4.      Ingress Park Residents Association and Neighbourhood Watch

Does anyone know if any of these organisation has their own website or email address?

Finally a big thank you to all of our readers and association members and guests that attended last week’s committee meeting. Please note the new project manager has written to us (GMRA) to confirm our funding will remain in place, which is very much appreciated. However and just to be clear, that does not mean that all of GMRA members are obliged to support the developer’s plans to develop a deepwater marina at Greenhithe, in fact we know that not all members supported previous plans, which is A OK, as all views are welcomed, and as chair, I will continue to encourage all members to keep those views coming in as it is important to keep the pressure on the developer’s and both local Councillors and planners, who unfortunately just don’t seem to get it.