A proposal to keep a food trailer stationed in a Smethwick car park has been denied following the dismissal of an appeal by a government planning inspector.
Sandwell Council had previously rejected a request for temporary three-year permission to park the food trailer in a single space within the Cedar Court car park, located off Brasshouse Lane. The site serves eight flats and has limited parking capacity.
The council’s refusal was based on concerns that the car park could not sufficiently accommodate the food trailer. They highlighted the potential safety hazards for drivers and pedestrians, including customers waiting at the trailer.
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The decision was appealed, granting the government planning inspector the authority to overturn the council’s ruling. However, the inspector ultimately upheld the rejection, agreeing with the council’s assessment.
According to Sandwell Council’s planners, the site required 14 off-street parking spaces to operate safely, yet only ten spaces were available. They also noted the food trailer would reduce pedestrian visibility when exiting the car park, increase traffic trips, and pose a risk to pedestrian safety. Additionally, the proposal risked impacting access for neighboring properties and could force displaced parking onto nearby streets.
The government inspector shared these concerns, emphasizing that inadequate parking would exacerbate existing issues. The inspector also noted a “significant risk of harm to pedestrian safety” because both exiting vehicles and customers waiting at the trailer would have restricted sightlines.
Observations included that many nearby roads had double-yellow lines preventing parking, while some areas, like Brasshouse Lane, saw cars partially parked on pavements to allow two-way traffic. This reduced pavement width, making it difficult for wheelchair users or people with young children to pass safely.
Furthermore, the inspector pointed out that evening visitors were likely to struggle to find nearby parking, increasing the likelihood of illegal or unsafe parking on pavements, thereby heightening risks for pedestrians.
In conclusion, both the local council and government inspector agreed that the food trailer’s location in the Cedar Court car park was unsuitable due to limited parking availability and significant safety concerns for residents and visitors alike.