Dedham Vale Society Calls For Stricter Planning Regulations

The Harwich & Manningtree Standard is reporting that The Dedham Vale Society is lobbying Tendring District Council (TDC) to consult the public on any further building plans in the Suffolk Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This follows the construction of the car park extension at Manningtree Station which the society describes as "...simply a steel structure which was unfortunately constructed. It's an eyesore".

The society goes on to say that they expect "...Network Rail will stick a bit on top of that extension at some point. We don't want anything like this to happen again."

Network Rail and National Express East Anglia who built and financed the car park extension did not require planning permission from TDC as the work was carried out under permitted rights development.

Interestingly feedback about the extension received by the MRUA has been very positive. It is unlikely that any further extension will be considered for quite some time as the car park overall is barely half full on most days. This is as a consequence of the economic downturn and also the exorbitant charges levied for parking.

Commuters Finding Alternative Parking Arrangements

Adverts in local shop windows suggest that more and more people are renting out space in their driveways for Manningtree commuters.  Despite the extension to the station car park, the excessive cost of parking at Manningtree is forcing motorists to make alternative arrangements.  

Reports in the media suggest that Manningtree is not alone in this.

Car Park Completed

Regular users of Manningtree station will have noticed that the car park extension is now complete.  Feedback thus far has been very positive with the general view being that the design is sympathetic to the surrounding area.

Campaigning for a reduction in the charge for parking will continue.