Cycle hire and parking plans aim to solve 'mayhem' of commuters' cars

AN overgrown former coal yard in Ashurst could be transformed into a cycle hire and car parking facility under plans submitted to the national park authority.

If approved, the land by the village’s train station, next to the existing car park off the A35, would host 41 new paid-for spaces, two outbuildings for cycle storage and hire, and a pair of electric vehicle charging points.

The application from landowner Peter Harding said the scheme would solve the parking “mayhem” partly caused by cars left there by London commuters.

The plan argued: “By proposing such a facility it will also free up nearby spaces and so help local businesses with 9-5 customers who are currently put off due to lack of parking.

“The overspill into residential roads and the mayhem in the station car park is demand enough for the parking, while the demand for cycling in the Forest is also accepted.”

The proposal said it would create one full-time job and another part-time. Opening hours would be 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-5pm on a Sunday.

It added: “If the coal yard were to become fully operational again, then this would potentially have a much greater environmental and neighbouring impact than the development as now proposed.

“We believe the council should take into account all circumstances and permit this proposal as it brings about economic, environmental and ecological benefits.”

The strip of land alongside the railway line is behind two homes at 213 and 219 Lyndhurst Road and covers about 1,780 square metres.

The NPA is set to make a decision after the deadline for public comments on 27th December.