Plans to improve a school’s car park pose a significant flood risk to nearby homes, an objection has warned.
An application to resurface the existing 111-space car park at Archbishop Holgate’s CE School, on Hull Road, York, has been lodged with the council.
The school’s plans stated it would provide necessary improvements to the condition, safety and drainage of the existing gravel car park.
But Andrew Mortimer, of the Hull Road Ward Planning Panel, stated the current car park allowed water to soak away freely which a new hard surface could stop.
Plans from the school showed the resurfaced staff and visitor car park would have 107 parking spaces and two disabled bays. There would also be two electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
The application stated the new hardcore surface would enhance the appearance, safety and maintenance of the car park. Plans stated: “Safety features include clear walkways, an existing fence to keep pupils away from the car park and a pedestrian crossing to the main school entrance.
“Use will be limited to staff, official visitors and operational needs and will strictly not be used for pupil drop offs.
“The car park will have an integrated drainage system.”
But Liberal Democrat activist and Hull Road Ward Planning Portal Chair Mr Mortimer said access to the car park from Yarburgh Way was unsuitable, causing traffic queues at busy times.
He added homes in the area had been flooded during a major incident in 2012.
Mr Mortimer said: “Given the growing impact of climate change and likelihood of more frequent and heavy flood events, uncontrolled drainage from an impermeable car park of this size could propose a significant risk to local properties.”