Since 2020, the Council’s parking guidance and policies have been updated to reflect national changes regarding electric vehicle (EV) charging provision.
The Parking Provision Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), published in February 2025, has officially replaced the former Parking Provision and Sustainable Transport SPD 2020. A primary aim of this updated document is to ensure new developments promote sustainable transport whilst maintaining an acceptable impact on highway safety.
A notable change in the 2025 SPD is the removal of the requirement for major developments to provide 20% active EV charging points. The numerical standards for EV charging are no longer set by local planning documents, but these are now mandated nationally by the Building Regulations. Consequently, the updated SPD focuses on the physical integration of this infrastructure. It provides guidance to ensure EV charging points accommodate the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility, minimise potential conflicts between different road users, and avoid unnecessary street clutter.
To actively support sustainable travel methods further, the SPD continues to set clear standards for the quantity and design layout of cycle parking.
View the revised Supplementary Planning Document - Parking Provision - February 2025.
