Plumstead residents have voiced significant concerns over parking pressure as an application for a six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 48 Welton Road was discussed at a Greenwich Council Local Planning Committee meeting.
The application was deferred by the committee, despite a revised car parking survey suggesting available spaces. Councillors remained unconvinced about the impact on the area, particularly in relation to the nearby Willow Dene School.
Residents have raised several specific issues regarding parking. They argue that parking surveys have been flawed, with photographs taken from the wrong end of the road and an overestimation of available spaces. One resident stated, The survey identifies average parking stress of around 80% with its peak reaching up to 95% this demonstrates that the road is already operating at or beyond practical capacity.
Another noted, The highways officers conclusion that there is up to 29 parking availability is not supported by the survey which clearly states that parking availability is approximately 20%
Furthermore, concerns were raised that some surveyed spaces were not legally available for parking, such as those near junctions and on steep hills. The existing parking issues are exacerbated by the presence of Willow Dene School, its playing fields, and a new Tesco store. Residents reported, There's nowhere to park and in fact there are so few places to park that people are double parking and there's no traffic enforcement and people can't get passed in the street.
The school, in particular, requires a high number of staff, leading to increased vehicle movement and parking demand.
Councillors were particularly concerned that the original car parking survey did not adequately account for the daytime parking pressures caused by Willow Dene School. Residents highlighted that the school's need for a high number of staff, combined with Special Educational Needs (SEN) transport vehicles and parents dropping off and picking up children, creates significant highway safety concerns, especially for vulnerable road users. The parking pressure is so severe that vehicles are sometimes double-parked, obstructing driveways and preventing passage, with residents having to contact the school to move cars. Emergency access is also a concern.
Concerns were also raised about the cumulative impact of HMOs in the area. One street reportedly has 10 HMOs out of 106 houses, with others operating without licenses or planning applications, which residents feel is detrimental to the community.
The council typically uses the Lambeth methodology for measuring parking, which often involves night-time surveys. However, for areas with intensive daytime use, such as near a school, this methodology can be adapted. The council's Highways Officer reviews these surveys and raises no objections if sufficient capacity is demonstrated. For HMO applications, the Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) rating is also considered; a lower rating suggests poorer public transport access, potentially influencing parking considerations. It is also noted that HMO residents may have less reliance on private car ownership.
Welton Road is not within a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), and on-street parking is unrestricted. Therefore, there are no existing parking restrictions or permits that could be affected by the application.
The application for 48 Welton Road was deferred for a revised car parking survey. Following the submission of this revised survey, officers recommended approval. The committee then voted to approve the application as amended by officers at the meeting on Tuesday 14 July 2026. The provided text does not specify a date for a final decision beyond this approval.
