Vehicular, electric vehicle and cycle parking guidance for new developments

Contents

Introduction

Surrey County Council's (SCC) Local Transport Plan (LTP4) sets out our ambitious roadmap for rethinking and transforming Surrey's transport to 2032 and beyond. The LTP4 has been developed from an extensive evidence base, compiled by reviewing local policies, strategies and datasets to understand Surrey's issues and identify the key drivers, priorities, opportunities and challenges for transport across the county. The LTP4 sets out plans to support these changes by developing and enhancing safe, cleaner, greener ways of travelling and accessing services and opportunities. Behaviour change, innovation and uptake of technology such as electric vehicles and e-bikes, will all be integral to achieving these challenging aspirations for our county.

The LTP4 and the Healthy Streets Policy will encourage a clear hierarchy of users.

It is widely recognised that the availability of car parking has a major influence on the means of transport people choose for their journeys. It is therefore essential to try and get the balance right, by providing an appropriate level and type of parking, protecting highway safety and promoting transport sustainability.

This guidance recognises that Surrey produces varying demand for travel and car parking, and its resultant car parking requirements. It would be inappropriate to apply a single standard across the entire county, so the intention is to apply a pragmatic and flexible approach.

Surrey County Council (SCC), as Highway Authority is a Statutory Consultee in respect of transport planning considerations and responds to planning application consultations from all of the Planning Authorities where development has a highway and transport impact.

At a local level, concerns relating to deficiencies in car parking provision leads to a desire amongst local communities for more car parking spaces. On these occasions, the County Council might express concern about catering for car parking demand particularly in an area that might already be suffering from congestion.

Surrey exhibits a wide range of social and economic circumstances that necessitate a flexible approach to identifying appropriate levels of car parking provision. Such an approach should provide a level of accessibility by private car that is consistent with the overall balance of the transport system at the local level.

The increased popularity of cycling for leisure and commuting means that the inclusion of high quality cycle parking is important in all new development. Similarly, the emergence of electric vehicles and a projected growth in their use and ownership dictates that charging points must also become integral to all new development.

Policy and consultation

Policy

This guidance was originally produced in 2012 in accordance with the national planning policy in existence and emerging at that time. Consideration was also given to the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) dated July 2011. The NPPF is based around the principle of local and neighbourhood plans, which empower local communities to shape their own surroundings. It provides a framework within which local people and their respective councils can produce their own distinctive approaches, reflecting the needs and priorities of their areas.

It is considered that this parking guidance very much accords with the NPPF 2023 in its recommendation for flexibility and application according to local circumstances.


Consultation

This guidance was originally the subject of consultation between October 2010 and January 2011. Comments received were incorporated where appropriate. This guidance is intended to be applied locally and via Local Development Frameworks. The car and cycle parking element of the Guidance remains as per the previous 2012 version. To keep pace with emerging technology, the guidance was updated to include further revised electric vehicle charging standards. The new electric vehicle requirements were presented to the 'Surrey Air Alliance', a group made up of Environmental Health Officers from Surrey districts and boroughs.

The previous 2012 Guidance sought the use of trickle charger points; these are no longer recommended and instead it is recommended that higher capacity charge points be used to align with increasing technology and larger capacity EV batteries. The guidance will be further updated as and when necessary to keep pace with evolving EV technologies and national guidance and legislation. Any significant changes to future EV infrastructure requirements will become the subject of further consultation.

Application of this guidance

This guidance is intended to be flexible and used as considered appropriate by the 12 Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) across Surrey. This is to ensure that parking requirements can be completely tailored by the LPA to suit the unique circumstances of any given development proposal in accordance with its location.


How to use this guidance

SCC's vehicular and cycle parking guidance is set out overleaf. This guidance is commended to the 12 LPAs for use within their own local development framework documents and supersedes the SCC Parking Strategy dated January 2012. Please note:

  • All parking levels relate to gross floor area and are recommended as a maximum unless otherwise stated.
  • Provision for uses marked "individual assessment" will require their own justification and the inclusion of parking management plans, travel plans and cycle strategies where appropriate.
  • Levels of parking per member of staff (full time equivalent) should be calculated using the average of those employed on site at any one time.
  • Guidance is also provided regarding disabled parking, school parking, car clubs and electric vehicle charging points.

Production of individual assessments

Where "individual assessment" is required, it should be demonstrated that demand for parking is either met on site or mitigated and managed as appropriate.

Potential grounds for parking related objections by Surrey County Council

When responding to consultations on residential development, it is expected that SCC will only raise objections regarding parking if there is a shortfall that would lead to danger on the adjoining highway.

It is unlikely that objections would be raised on amenity grounds of a shortfall in parking, or if parking levels in excess of residential guidance were being provided. Excessive parking provision in residential development is unlikely to generate travel by car, unless it is also used by other more restrained land-uses, where restraint might have been applied in that locality. There is no policy to restrict car ownership so there is little to be gained in heavily restraining residential parking.

In the case of all other land uses, objections might be raised to parking levels being proposed in excess of the guidance on policy grounds. Parking proposed at levels below the maximum standard will not be objected to, other than in exceptional circumstances where there are significant implications for road safety.

Recommended guidance for maximum vehicular parking levels

Contents

Class E Retail to C2 Residential institutions

Use Class Maximum per square metre
E Retail: food or non-food retail, for example: small parades of shops serving the local community (up to 500 square metres) 1 car space per 30 square metres
E Retail: food retail (500 square metres to 1000 square metres) 1 space per 25 square metres
E Retail: food retail (above 1000 square metres) 1 car space per 14 square metres
E Retail: non-food retail (500 square metres or more) 1 space per 25 square metres

E Retail: *suggested reductions as stated or greater, to be applied based on location.

*Note: Retail parking to be provided as shared use where appropriate.

Town Centre 75%, Edge of Centre 50%, Suburban 25%, Suburban/Edge / Village/Rural 0%

Suis Generis

Food and drink: Restaurants, snack bars and café's. For sale and consumption on the premises (if located beyond town centre locations).

1 car space per 6 square metres, No parking in town centres

Suis Generis

Drinking establishments: Public houses, wine bars or other drinking establishments but not nightclubs (if located beyond Town Centre locations).

Individual assessment / justification, No parking in town centres

Suis Generis

Hot Food Takeaways: For sale and consumption of hot food off the premises (if located beyond Town Centre locations).

1 car space per 6 square metres, No parking in town centres

E(g)

Business: Offices, research and development, light industry appropriate in a residential area – threshold of 2500 square metres

A maximum range of 1 car space per 30 square metres to 1 car space per 100 square metres depending on location

B2 General Industrial: General industrial use

1 car space per 30 square metres

B8 Storage and distribution (including open air storage): Warehouse storage

1 car space per 100 square metres, 1 lorry space per 200 square metres

B8 Storage and distribution (including open air storage): Warehouse distribution

1 car space per 70 square metres, 1 lorry space per 200 square metres

B8 Storage and distribution (including open air storage): Cash and carry

1 car space per 70 square metres, 1 lorry space per 200 square metres

C1 Hotels: Hotels, boarding and guest houses where no significant care is provided

1.5 car spaces per bedroom plus 1 coach space per 100 bedrooms or individual assessment/justification

C2 Residential institutions: Care home and Nursing home

1 car space per 2 residents or individual assessment / justification

C2 Residential institutions: Hospitals

1 car space per 4 staff plus 1 car space per 3 daily visitors or individual assessment/justification

C2 Residential institutions: Residential colleges

Individual assessment / justification

C2 Residential institutions: Training centres

1 car space per 2 staff or individual assessment /justification

C3 Dwelling houses (residential)

(family houses, up to 6 residents living as a single household, including households where care is provided)

Locational Characteristics Town Centre Edge of CentreSuburban Suburban edge, Village and Rural
1 and 2 bed flats 1 space per unit 1 space per unit 1 space per unit 1 space per unit
1 and 2 bed houses 1 space per unit 1 space per unit 1+ space per unit (where space permits, it may be appropriate to consider increased provision) 1.5+ spaces per unit (where space permits, it may be appropriate to consider increased provision)
3 bed houses 1 space per unit 1+ space per unit (where space permits, it may be appropriate to consider increased provision) 2+ spaces per unit (where space permits, it may be appropriate to consider increased provision) 2+ spaces per unit (where space permits, it may be appropriate to consider increased provision)
4+ bed houses 1 space per unit 2+ spaces per unit (where space permits, it may be appropriate to consider increased provision) 2+ spaces per unit (where space permits, it may be appropriate to consider increased provision) 2+ spaces per unit (where space permits, it may be appropriate to consider increased provision)

Notes on residential dwelling houses

  1. Reduced or even nil provision may be appropriate in support of demand management and the most efficient use of land.
  2. Allocated or unallocated parking may be acceptable where appropriate.
  3. Unallocated parking should be available only to the proposed development.
  4. Visitor parking is encouraged where appropriate (such as for flats) though it is not always necessary.
  5. Garages, open carports and / or car barns are acceptable subject to good design. It is acknowledged that in certain locations garages may be used for purposes other than parking.
  6. Town Centre parking permits will not be issued for new developments from 1st April 2023.

The recommended sizes for garages are set out below:

  • Single garage; 6.0m x 3.0m (where cycle parking is provided separately from the garage).
  • Single Garage: 7.0m x 3.0m (where cycle parking is to be provided within the garage)*.
  • Double Garage: 6.0m x 5.0m (where cycle parking is provided separately from the garage).
  • Double Garage: 7.0m x 5.0m (where cycle parking is to be provided within the garage)*.

*Where cycle parking is expected to be provided within any garage, care is needed to ensure that cycles can easily enter and exit the garage whilst a car is parked.


C3 Dwelling houses (elderly sheltered accommodation)

Use Class Maximum per square metre
C3 Dwelling houses: Elderly (sheltered) 1 car space per 1 or 2 bed self-contained unit or 0.5 per communal unit or individual Assessment

E & F Non-residential institutions

Use Class Maximum per square metre
Day Nurseries/Crèche 0.75 car spaces per member of staff plus 0.2 spaces per child
Doctor's practices 1 car space per consulting room, remaining spaces on individual assessment
Dentist's practices 1 car space per consulting room, remaining spaces on individual assessment
Veterinary practices 1 car space per consulting room, remaining spaces on individual assessment
Libraries, museums and art galleries 1 car space per 30 square metres or individual assessment/justification
Public halls licensed for entertainment, for example unlicensed youth and community centres and Scout huts 1 car space per 3 persons or per 3 seats or per 20 square metres or individual assessment/justification
Places of worship 1 car space per 10 seats or individual assessment/justification
Schools, colleges and children's centres Individual assessment or justification – see additional note on school parking

E & F Assembly and leisure

Use Class Maximum per square metre
Theatres, cinemas, bingo clubs, dance halls and clubs 1 car space per 5 licensed persons or individual assessment/justification
Conference Centres 1 car space per 5 seats or individual assessment/justification
Exhibition Halls 1 car space per 6 square metres or individual assessment/justification
Stadia 1 car space per 15 seats or individual assessment/justification
Health clubs/leisure centres individual assessment or justification
Tennis and Badminton Clubs 4 car spaces per court or individual assessment/justification
Squash Clubs 2 car spaces per court or individual assessment/justification
Marinas and water sports 3 car spaces per hectare of water or individual assessment/justification
Field Sports Clubs 1 car space per 2 playing participants or individual assessment/justification
Golf Clubs and driving ranges 1 car space per 0.3 holes or per driving bay or individual assessment/justification
Equestrian centres 1 car space per stable or individual assessment/justification

Other uses

Use Class Maximum per square metre
Pick your own fruit farms 9 car spaces per hectare of farmland or individual assessment / justification
Vehicle repair, garage and spares stores 1 car space per 20 square metres or individual assessment / justification
Car sales establishments 1 car space per 50 square metres car display area or individual assessment/justification
Exhaust and tyre centres 1 car space per 0.3-0.5 bays or individual assessment or justification
Sui Generis and all other uses not mentioned above individual assessment or justification

Note on disabled parking

Parking for disabled drivers should be designed and provided in accordance with the appropriate government guidance. As a starting point, for non-residential development, an additional 5% of total parking spaces should be allocated for disabled users or a minimum of 1 space per 750 square metres (whichever is the greater) to meet demand. Such spaces should have dimensions of 3.6 metres by 5 metres and be located no further than 50 metres from an accessible entrance, (ideally the main entrance), clearly signed and under cover. This is in accordance with Department for Transport Traffic Advice Leaflet 5/95.


Notes on school parking

New Schools, or those where expansion is proposed, are expected to develop, update and monitor School Travel Plans.

Cars

Operational requirements (broadly defined as staff and visitors) should be provided for only, together with overflow parking areas for community uses. Parent parking, pupil parking and drop off/pick up areas should not be provided as this is a disincentive to travelling by sustainable modes. Existing sites may be an exception if further on-street parking reduces highway safety or emergency access.

Measures to discourage parking should be considered first and could include car sharing, staggered school days, parking restrictions, parking permits issued on the basis of need and other measures as appropriate.

A parking management plan should be prepared and submitted as an integral part of any planning application where parking is an acknowledged problem.

Coach/Bus

On all new school sites where it is likely that pupils will travel to and from school in coaches, sufficient space should be reserved to allow coaches to enter the site, drop off and pick up pupils. Where appropriate, bus stops, bays, raised kerbs, seating and shelters shall be provided on the highway by the applicant.

Cycles and non-motorised Scooters

Provision of cycle and non-motorised scooter* parking will be a condition of any new or expanded school. Whenever possible, improvements to cycle routes and other appropriate safety measures should be provided by the applicant. (*for Pre-school and Primary School education).

Recommended guidance for Car Club requirements

Parking provision for use by Car Clubs will be supported and encouraged where appropriate in line with SCC's Car Club guidance. A copy of which can be obtained by contacting the Transport Development Planning team using one of the area specific email addresses provided at the end of this guidance.

A car club provides cars for short term hire on a pay per trip basis. This allows individuals and businesses affordable access to a vehicle without the need for ownership. Take up of car clubs is growing rapidly, as levels of car ownership decline. Car clubs offer clear benefits for individuals, with cost savings and access to a range of low carbon, well-maintained, flexible use vehicles.

Car clubs also support policies to cut congestion, reduce emissions, improve air quality, reduce parking pressure and increase take-up of sustainable travel modes. Used in the right locations, car clubs can be a very effective measure to promote sustainable development.

Guidance has been produced to guide developers, planners and SCC officers in the process of deciding on, planning and implementing car club provision as part of a new development through the planning process.

A car club is most relevant to planning applications for large scale developments, those requiring a Transport Assessment or Transport Statement and a Travel Plan. In order to support the County's ambitions in becoming net zero carbon by 2050 at the latest, all new car club vehicles provided by development shall be electric. The simplified list of thresholds below gives an indication of when these will be required, although this is always to be considered on a case by case basis:

  • Retail developments over about 800 square metres gross floor area.
  • Employment developments over about 1500 square metres gross floor area.
  • Residential developments including 50 or more new homes.
  • Non-residential institutions and assembly or leisure developments over about 1500 square metres gross floor area.
  • Developments creating about 100 or more vehicle parking spaces.

For more information please see:

Recommended guidance for electric vehicle charging requirements

The shared ambition of Surrey's 12 local authorities is that our residents live in clean, safe and green communities, where people and organisations embrace their environmental responsibilities. In support of this ambition – and the UK's commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 – Surrey's Climate Change Strategy sets out our collective commitment to do our part to tackle climate change (see notes below: note 1).

In 2020 pure-electric sales were up by 185.9% versus 2019, while plug-in hybrid sales were up 91.2%. August 2021 saw a 32.2% increase in pure-electric car sales in the UK compared to the same month in 2020. A total of 68,033 new cars were registered in the UK in August 2021, (10.9% of the total) were pure-electric cars, (7.4%) were plug-in hybrids, and (nearly 12%) were full hybrids. Diesel and mild-hybrid diesels accounted for the remainder of sales, at 7.5% and 4.9% of the total respectively (see notes below: note 2).

More than 6.5 million households plan to buy an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid, research by the energy watchdog Ofgem has found. This equates to 24%, or nearly one in four, of all energy households. The climate change committee, an independent public body that advises the UK government and devolved governments, predicts that about 18 million battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will be on the road by 2030 when a ban on the sale of new internal combustion vehicles is introduced. (see notes below: note 3).

The County Council will seek the provision of electric vehicle (EV) charging points within all new developments as set out within this Guidance, supported by the National Planning Policy Framework and the Building Regulations. These standards take into account the view that the majority of charging will take place at home and be done overnight with supplementary charging taking place in workplaces, town centres and at service stations.

EV charging is a developing technology and the County Council will seek to ensure that connection points are installed in line with emerging technical requirements and open standards. Connections conforming to national and/or industry standards will therefore be used wherever possible. With continuing development in technology, it is expected that wired charging may eventually be replaced by passive wireless charging which allows vehicles to park or travel over a pad buried beneath the surface. The County Council will expect new installations to be passive when this method of charging becomes cost effective for general use.

Historically there have been three speeds available for electric vehicle charging – trickle (3 kilowatt), fast (7 kilowatt) and rapid (40 kilowatt plus). Trickle charging is not recommended for use by the County Council. Battery prices have fallen significantly in recent years and the recent introduction of larger batteries in more affordable family cars has reduced the practicality of trickle charging, since charging times can easily exceed 12 hours. The minimum accepted provision is 7 kilowatt 'fast chargers' unless otherwise agreed.

The standards acknowledge that innovation and technology will continue to develop and battery sizes will get increasingly larger to meet the demand for longer range electric vehicles.

The price of charging units has also fallen, increasing the financial viability of fast 7 kilowatt chargers, in residential and commercial developments. A number of new styles of charging unit, such as wall mounted, have increased the ease with which they can be integrated into new housing developments. Commercial land uses, particularly those with retail units, present the possibility of charging users fees for the use of fast or rapid units, creating an income stream to offset installation or running costs.

Notes:

  1. Surrey's Climate Change Strategy 2020: Surrey's climate change strategy.
  2. Driving Electric.com - Electric car sales UK: August 2021 sees electric overtake diesel for market share 6 Sept 2021.
  3. The Guardian – '6.5 million households in UK plan to buy an EV by 2030' 21 May 2021.

These standards will be reviewed in line with the development of technology. It is the responsibility of the developer to ensure that the electricity supply is sufficient to meet future demands and that any power balancing technology is in place if required.

General principles

If an active connection costs on average more than £3600 to install, the developer must provide cabling (defined as a 'cabled route' within the 2022 Building Regulations).

To show that the connection cost is greater than £3600 at least two formal quotes should be given to the County Highway Authority during the notice/plans stage as follows:

At least one quote should be from a distribution network operator.

Quotes should clearly show all of the following:

  • The total connection costs for electrical infrastructure without electric vehicle charge-points for all dwellings, as an average cost per dwelling.
  • The total connection costs with electric vehicle charge-points for all dwellings, as an average cost per dwelling.
  • The average additional connection costs per electric vehicle charge-point per dwelling if electric vehicle charge points are installed for all dwellings with associated parking spaces.
  • The maximum number of electric vehicle charge points that can be installed before the extra grid connections costs exceed £3600 per charge-point per dwelling.

Each dwelling must have an EV charge-point point as laid out in this Guidance and as stipulated by the Building Regulations. If additional spaces are provided, these should be provided with cable routes. Where SCC's requirements exceed that of the Building Regulations, this is to support and promote sustainable travel across the county, which is in line with LTP4.

Where any development is provided with visitor parking spaces, 50% of these shall be provided with charge-points the remainder of the spaces shall be provided with cable routes.

As defined by the 2022 Building Regulations, "cable route" means a safe, unobstructed route from the power supply to the envisaged electric vehicle charge point location, for electrical cabling to be installed in the future.

Undercover Parking

Where undercover parking areas (multi-storey car parks, basement or undercroft parking) are proposed, the developer and LPA should liaise with their Building Control Teams and Local Fire Service to understand any additional requirements. EV charging-points should either be provided in multi-storey car parks, basement or undercroft parking if agreed by necessary stakeholders or a suitable alternative scheme for the provision of EV charging-points, including on-street spaces, should be provided (please refer to current Building Regulations for full details of expected requirements, including the provision of cabled routes).

Disabled EV Parking

Each disabled parking space should be provided with an EV charge-point up until 10 disabled parking spaces are provided within a site. For locations with more than 10 disabled parking spaces, after the initial 10 spaces are provided with a charge-point, 25% of all remaining disabled spaces shall be fitted with charge-points. See the 'recommended guidance for maximum vehicular parking levels' section for general requirements for disabled parking.

On-Street EV Charging Points

From 2023, the County Highway Authority will require the provision of on-street EV charge-points in town centres, urban environments and to support the roll out of Electric Car Club vehicles. Such EV charge-points shall be provided by Developers either through financial contributions or through S278 works. See the 'Recommended guidance for Car Club requirements' section for general requirements for car clubs.

Residential development

Residential Development

EV Charging Requirement

Charge Point Specification Power Requirement
Houses 1 fast charge socket per house, plus cable routes for any additional spaces. 7 kilowatt Mode 3 with Type 2 Connector 230 volts alternating current (AC) 32 Amp Single Phase dedicated supply
Flats and apartments 1 fast charge socket per flat (allocated and unallocated spaces), plus cable routes for any additional spaces. 7 kilowatt Mode 3 with Type 2 Connector 230 volts AC 32 Amp Single Phase dedicated supply
C2 Care and Nursing Home 50% of available spaces to be fitted with a fast charge socket, plus cable routes for any additional spaces. 7 kilowatt Mode 3 with Type 2 Connector 230 volts AC 32 Amp Single Phase dedicated supply
C3 Elderly (Sheltered)

1 fast charge socket per flat (allocated and unallocated spaces), plus cable routes for any additional spaces.

7 kilowatt Mode 3 with Type 2 Connector 230 volts AC 32 Amp Single Phase dedicated supply

Developments Providing Unallocated On-street Parking (where separate off- street parking is not being provided)

The developer shall provide fast charge sockets on the highway within the vicinity of the site to be agreed.

7kw Mode 3 with Type 2 Connector 230v AC 32Amp Single Phase dedicated supply

Commercial development

(Offices, Employment Retail, Leisure Uses)

  • E(g)
  • Offices, light industry great than 500 metres
  • B2 General, industrial greater than 500 metres
  • B8 Storage and Distribution greater than 1000 metres
  • E(e) Doctors and Dentists practices
  • E(e) Schools and Colleges
  • E Retail greater than 500 metres
  • C1 Hotels
  • E&F Sports Clubs, Health Clubs, Leisure Centres, Theatres, Cinemas, Conference Centres, greater than 500 square metres

Requirements and specifications for above as follows:

EV charging requirement Charge point specification Power requirement
50% of available spaces to be fitted with a fast charge socket, plus 7 Kilowatt Mode 3 with Type 2 Connector 230 volts AC 32 Amp Single Phase dedicated supply
A further 50% of available spaces to be provided with cable routes. Feeder pillar or equivalent permitting future connection 230 volts AC 32 Amp Single Phase dedicated supply

All other types of uses

Type EV Charging Requirement Charge Point Specification Power Requirement
(Including all other uses not mentioned above).

50% of available spaces to be fitted with a fast charge socket, plus cable routes for any additional spaces.

Rapid charge-points may be sought on a site- specific basis dependent on the use and scale of development.

Individual assessment / justification To be determined by charge point specification

High demand, Short Stay Land Uses

Development with high demand and short stay characteristics in strategic locations, for example:

  • Motorway/Strategic Service Stations,
  • Large Petrol Filling stations).
  • Large or major development and regeneration projects.
EV Charging Requirement Charge Point Specification Power Requirement
50% of available spaces to be fitted with a fast charge socket 7 kilowatt Mode 3 with Type 2 Connector 230 volts AC 32 Amp Single Phase dedicated supply
A further 50% of available spaces to be provided with cable routes Feeder pillar or equivalent permitting future connection. 230 volts AC 32 Amp Single Phase dedicated supply
1 or more additional rapid charge-points may be sought on a site-specific basis dependent on the use and scale of development 50 kilowatt Mode 4 (DC) Multi-standard charge point. 400 volts AC 100Amp Triple Phase dedicated supply

Underground/undercroft parking spaces

Applicable to all land uses

EV Charging RequirementCharge Point SpecificationPower Requirement

1 fast charge socket per dwelling (allocated and unallocated spaces) plus cable routes for any additional spaces.

or

Where Building Regulations prevent installation of EV points, cable routes to be provided in accordance with Building Regulation requirements. Where on curtilage EV charge-points cannot be provided, the County Highways Authority will expect a number of on-street charge-points to be provided on a site-specific basis to be agreed

7 kilowatt Mode 3 with Type 2Connector230 volts AC 32Amp Single Phase dedicated supply

Note: Please refer to BEAMA guide to Electric Vehicle infrastructure for guidance and further information on charging modes and connector types.

Active Travel

Electric scooters (e-scooters)

The use of public scooters is not currently permitted by law. Whilst trials within cities across the country have taken place, these standards will be reviewed in line with any future changes in national law.

Electrice bikes (e-bikes)

Electric bikes (e-bikes) are fast becoming more affordable, and provision of electrical sockets shall be provided adjacent to any secure cycle parking. Batteries are now lighter than in previous bike models and with batteries increasingly being incorporated within the bike frame itself, rather than as a slide on/off attachment. To provide facilities for the charging of e-bikes, standard three-point plug sockets should be provided in cycle storage areas, in accordance with the following:

  • e-Bike Charging Point: 1 per dwelling
  • e-Bike Charging Point: 20% of all available cycles (including disabled and adaptive cycles) should be able to be charged at any one time in communal cycle storage.

In most residential settings, the provision of e-bike charging point could also be used for the charging of mobility scooters.

Cycle parking

Recommended guidance for minimum cycle parking requirements

Cycle parking should be designed and provided in accordance with the appropriate government guidance and the NPPF. Current guidance suggests that such parking should be undercover, lit, secure, adequately signed and as close to the destination as possible (within 20m).

For residential provision, cycle parking should be provided for all dwellings and the location of the cycle parking should be convenient, accessible and fit for purpose for the lifetime of its use, and where possible should be provided within the fabric of the building. Where cycle parking is provided within garages, such structures should be increased in size for both storage and the access/egress of vehicles. See page 8 for typical recommended sizes.

In all instances, for long-term cycle parking facilities within the development should be provided for cyclists to change clothing, shower and to store cycling equipment. In meeting this requirement, some charging points should be provided in sufficiently sized lockers, to enable the charging of removable e-bike batteries.

Cycle parking in all instances should be designed and provided for the designated users of all use classes for both short and long term stays for the needs of the user. Please note in a mixed-use development, this will likely require a combination of types of cycle parking, (e.g. disabled and adaptive/other).

Disabled Cycle Parking

Disabled cycle parking should be provided for within developments. For communal parking areas, 5% of the total cycle parking provided (minimum of one space) should be allocated and designed for use of disabled users. For all development, the focus should be put on ensuring that the space available to park cycles is accessible from the highway without the need to carry the cycle through the inside of the property or up/down steps.

Adaptive/Other Cycle Parking

Storage for adaptive cycles and/or larger cycles such as trailer bikes, cargo bikes, tricycles, and tandem bikes etc should be sufficiently large enough for parking and manoeuvring. The cycle spaces should be designed and allocated with appropriate signage/markings for their designated use. A minor reduction in the number car parking spaces may be accepted in appropriate instances to accommodate the provision of high-quality accessible cycle parking.

Class E Retail to C2 Residential institutions

Use Class Minimum standard

E Retail: Food retail

1 space per 350 square metres (out of centre)

1 space per 125 square metres (town/local centre)

E Retail: Non-food retail

1 space per 1500 square metres (out of centre) with minimum 4 spaces

1 space per 300 square metres (town/local centre)

E Retail: Garden Centre (can also be classed under sui generis)

1 space per 300 square metres (minimum 2 spaces)

E Retail: All other retail uses

Individual assessment

Suis Generis

Food and drink: Restaurants, snack bars and café's. For sale and consumption on the premises (if located beyond Town Centre locations).

1 space per 20 seats (min 2 spaces), town centre parking not necessarily required

Suis Generis

Drinking establishments: Public houses, wine bars or other drinking establishments but not nightclubs (if located beyond Town Centre locations).

1 space per 100 square metres (minimum 2 spaces), town centre parking not necessarily required

Suis Generis

Hot Food Takeaways: For sale and consumption of hot food off the premises (if located beyond Town Centre locations).

1 space per 50 square metres (min 2 spaces), town centre parking not necessarily required

E(g) Businesses: Offices

Research and development, light industry

1 space per 125 square metres (min 2 spaces)

1 space per 250 square metres (min 2 spaces)

B2 General Industrial

1 space per 500 square metres (min 2 spaces)

B8 Storage or distribution (including open air storage)

1 space per 500 square metres (min 2 spaces)

C1 Hotels/Guest houses

Individual assessment

C2 Residential Institutions: Care homes/Nursing homes

Individual assessment

C2 Residential Institutions: Hospitals

Individual assessment

C2 Residential Institutions: Residential colleges

1 space per 2 students

1 space per 2 staff

C2 Residential Institutions: Training centres

Individual assessment

C3 Dwelling houses

(family houses, up to 6 residents living as a single household, including households where care is provided)

Use Class Minimum standard
Flats or houses without garages or gardens: 1 and 2 bedroom unit 1 space
Flats / houses without garages or gardens: 3 or more bedroom unit 2 spaces

E & F Non-residential institutions

Use Class Minimum standard
Day Nurseries/Crèche 1 space per 5 staff plus, minimum 2 spaces
Doctor's practices 1 space per 2 consulting rooms, minimum 2 spaces
Dentist's practices 1 space per 2 consulting rooms, minimum 2 spaces
Veterinary practices 1 space per 2 consulting rooms, minimum 2 spaces
Libraries, museums and art galleries Individual assessment
Public halls licensed for entertainment, for example unlicensed youth and community centres and Scout huts Individual assessment
Places of worship Individual assessment
Schools and colleges School Travel Plan required, to incorporate a site specific cycle strategy (see note on school parking under Recommended guidance for maximum vehicular parking levels in index).

Other

Use Class Minimum standard
E&F Assembly and leisure Individual assessment
Sui generis and all other uses not mentioned above Individual assessment

Contact information

If you have a query please use the relevant e-mail address below to contact us:

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