What's classed as a marked increase in traffic?

Charityworker

For planning permission purposes what's classed as a marked increase in traffic?

Where we are starting a business is on a main road with around 1000 cars a day going past. I estimate the extra traffic will be about 14 cars a week. Does that need planning permission?

dizzytina

I would say not but depending on what you are doing so change of use of a building or buying an existing business classed the same etc will make a difference. usually for planning permission you would be expected to submit a TIA (traffic impact assessment) which outlines traffic growth and predicts future traffic. There are national documents that outline traffic forecasts depending on the business which you can use I you need to predict realistic flows x

Charityworker

Another non straight answer! Lol

There doesn't seem to be a traffic forecast for what we want to do.

lincroft1710

If you are changing the use of a building or part of a building you will almost definitely need planning permission, especially if involves change of use of residential.

If you are unsure about anything talk to your local planning officer, they can usually advise if the envisaged change of use would contravene local planning policy.

Charityworker

I have spoken to the planning department and was told I would only need planning permission if it would cause a marked increase in traffic. But couldn't tell me what's classed as a marked increase for the main road through the town!

Savvy_Sue

I suspect that 'traffic' refers not just to 'vehicles passing' but also to 'vehicles pulling in / pulling out / parking'.

Additionally I suspect that what is considered a 'marked increase' would depend on the current situation.

It might also depend upon the parking available, and access to the site.

For example, if you are seeking change of use on a currently residential property surrounded by other residential properties, and there is a small driveway which would not give adequate parking, and your customers / suppliers would be arriving at all hours of the day and night, and your suppliers would come in large vehicles, that might very well look like a marked increase in traffic.

OTOH, if you are looking at premises which are currently business use, surrounded by other business premises, and there is adequate parking and easy access on and off the site, then it looks less like a 'marked increase'.

I believe my local council would also expect you to provide secure cycle parking / storage for staff / visitors.

So, do you need change of use? What (in broad terms) is the building / site currently used for? What (in broad terms) do you propose using it for?