Decision details

The Conservators received a report requesting permission for accessible parking to be made available to Epsom Downs Model Aircraft Club (EDMAC) on a permanent basis.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Parking arrangements for other EDMAC Members. A Member of the Conservators raised that a concern that due to the nature of the location and activity, other EDMAC members might also asking for use of the parking arrangement. The Streetcare Manager informed the Conservators that the Top Car Park was open until 9pm during the summer months. This was currently sufficient and had been for many years.

b)           Discrimination against Blue Badge local residents. A Member of the Conservators asked if local residents who have Blue Badges were being discriminated against by not having use of the access road and proposed parking. The Streetcare Manager responded to inform the Conservators that there was no official parking in the location to access and that it was proposed to provide accessible parking to EDMAC which is close to where their activity takes place.

c)            Communication to other users of the Downs. The Chair asked how the changes could be communicated to other groups who use the Downs in a manner which would avoid conflict. The Streetcare Manager confirmed that with the help of the Council’s Democratic Services and Communications teams, the information could be communicated to all Downs Consultative Committee members and key stakeholders in a timely fashion.

d)           Downs House access. A Member of the Conservators expressed that when Downs House was back in full operation, there would be a significant amount of vehicular traffic going across the Downs over all hours of the day and night. The Member expressed that it might therefore be difficult to use a combination lock to manage all access, and that an increase in cars driving and parking on the Downs would have an impact on the safe access and egress of the horses, especially if EDMAC members are arriving and setting up before the 12 o’clock agreed time. The Streetcare Manager responded to confirm that the boundaries of the arrangement would be communicated to EDMAC and suggested that a report detailing a review of the EDMAC parking arrangement be brought back to the Conservators in a years’ time. 

e)            Disabled Parking. A Member of the Conservators expressed that it would be productive to establish disabled parking spaces in the Mile End Car Park and create a new access route onto the Downs that is accessible to disabled members of the public and wheelchair users, but not for vehicles.

f)             Amendment to recommendation. Stephen Wallis proposed an amendment to recommendation 1 of the report as follows:

a.    “Grant permission for four accessible parking spaces near to the flying area, made available to members of EDMAC who are in possession of a blue badge for a period of 1-year.”

b.    This amendment was unanimously agreed by the Conservators.

g)           Additional Recommendation. The Chair proposed an additional recommendation as follows:

a.    “A report would be brought to the Conservators in a years’ time to review the parking arrangement and that the item would be added to the Forward Plan.”

b.    This amendment was unanimously agreed by the Conservators.

Following consideration, the Conservators resolved to:

(1)      Grant permission for four accessible parking spaces near to the flying area, made available to members of EDMAC who are in possession of a blue badge for a period of 1-year.

(2)      A report reviewing the arrangement will come back to the Conservators in June 2024 and the item will be added to the Forward Plan.