THE University of Chester's plans for a new laboratory building and engineering design suite have been rejected by councillors amid concerns over "car parking chaos".

The proposed development at the Parkgate Road campus had been called in to yesterday's planning committee meeting by councillor Bob Rudd over fears the resulting loss of more than 50 car parking spaces would lead to increased problems in the surrounding streets.

The university wanted to erect the three-storey laboratory building on an existing car park area, while the engineering design suite would be constructed on the existing overspill car park.

Although 20 new car parking spaces would be created, the overall net loss as a result of the plans would be 55 spaces, according to a planning report.

In the report, Cheshire West and Chester Council's highways officer said the Covid-19 pandemic and a lack of "up to date and robust" university data had hindered any assessment of the likely impacts of the proposal.

It was considered that the development would cause an "increased demand for on-street parking on the surrounding highway network", so on that basis the officer had been unable to support the application.

At the start of the meeting, the university's vice-chancellor, professor Eunice Simmons said she was aware that car parking was an issue in the area but explained that its "future mode of working" would result in many staff and students not being on the site daily – with as much as 60% of its staff working from home.

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She said: "We know we can run vibrant campuses but with fewer people on site at any one time."

Although unable to attend the meeting, a statement from councillor Rudd was read out stating his belief that the plans were "not acceptable" and that a "comprehensive car parking plan" was needed before being approved.

Cllr Jill Houlbrook said she could not understand why the application had come forward without a detailed travel plan in place. adding that it would be difficult to make a decision without that information.

Cllr Tommy Blackmore said he could not support the proposals until a parking plan had been submitted and put forward a motion to refuse the application.

The motion was seconded by councillor Peter Rooney, who believed the plans would cause "car parking chaos".

A report by the council's planning case officer Karl Spilsbury had recommended approval, subject to conditions, on the basis that a ‘campus attendance plan’ is submitted and approved in order to control the use of the site.

However, councillors could not support the application and voted 9-2 against.