Werrington taxi office plans refused over noise and traffic concerns
Werrington Neighbourhood Council objects to plans for office, and says ‘Taxis are already creating a serious nuisance in this area’
Plans for a new taxi office in Werrington have been refused by Peterborough City Council following a number of objections.
The proposed office would have been located next to the vacant Ploughman pub on Staniland Way.
If approved, the building would have been one storey high with two pick-up spaces provided within the existing Werrington Centre car park.
Applicant, Gujjar Investments, stated in the planning application that the local highway network would be “unaffected” by the proposed taxi office.
However, Peterborough City Council’s highways department objected to the plans, noting that the development “would not provide adequate facilities within the curtilage of the site for parking or turning of vehicles”.
The department also argued that the manoeuvring of vehicles likely to be generated by the proposed development would have an “adverse effect” on the safety and free flow of traffic into the adjoining car park.
Plans stated that the closest residential property to the proposed site was located “some 70 metres to the south” of the site in Sutton Court.
However, the council’s pollution control officer stated that there is a residential unit above the former pub and “future residents may be disturbed” by noise from the taxi office and associated pick up point.
Werrington Neighbourhood Council supported the addition of the taxi office and the potential business it would bring to the area, but noted concerns around access, space and existing taxis.
A statement from the neighbourhood council reads: “Taxis are already creating a serious nuisance in this immediate area as they offload and pick up passengers with their shopping on the narrow access road to the car park, causing delays to other users and a line of waiting vehicles.
“While a designated taxi waiting area has been indicated to the north of the former Ploughman, concerns are being expressed about taxis dropping off and picking up immediately outside the office where the passengers are waiting.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has attempted to contact Gujjar Investments for comment.