« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
THE EFFECT OF MAXIMUM CAR PARKING STANDARDS INCLUDING INWARD INVESTMENT IMPLICATIONS
3 METHODOLOGY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.1.1 This chapter sets out the methodology used for this research. A staged approach was used, as follows:
- Identification of the current situation pertaining to maximum parking standards in Scotland and the UK.
- Identification, and then confirmation of potential case studies with respect to developments which have been subject to maximum parking standards.
- Identification, and then confirmation of potential case studies with respect to inward investment interests.
- Undertaking detailed research for each case study, and discussions with inward investment interests.
3.2 IDENTIFICATION OF CASE STUDIES
3.2.1 This methodology has been followed with local authorities in both England and Scotland being approached for their thoughts and experiences with parking standards. Discussions with Scottish Local Authorities yielded a number of potential case studies in North East Scotland, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
3.2.2 Whilst there are case studies from England included within this report, the English Local Authorities were generally less willing to co-operate than the Scottish as understandably, it has little impact on them. It was through the contacts of the authors that we have been able to consider case studies from England.
3.2.3 A long list of potential case studies was collected, and this was then presented to the Scottish Executive for comment and confirmation. This enabled a final list of case studies to be determined.
3.2.4 The preference for selecting case studies was initially to choose developments that:
1. are on the ground in Scotland;
2. are on the ground in England; and
3. are in the planning process in Scotland
3.2.5 A full list of case studies is provided in Appendix B, including those, which for some reason have not been reported within the body of this report.
3.3 CASE STUDY METHODOLOGY
3.3.1 After the case studies were identified, contacts were established for both the developers and the local authorities. These contacts were then approached and asked if they would be willing to co-operate. People were generally very happy to do so and give their thoughts on the development.
3.3.2 To gather information on the case studies a discussion was set up with the local authorities based around a suggested set of discussion points. After speaking to them briefly, the proposed discussion points were sent to them and followed up with either a phone call or meeting.
3.3.3 Similarly developers / occupiers were approached initially, and then provided with a questionnaire which formed the basis for discussion either via telephone or at a site visit. The questionnaire is attached in Appendix C, but it is noted that this questionnaire was not meant to be prescriptive but was meant to provide the basis for discussion.
3.4 INWARD INVESTMENT METHODOLOGY
3.4.1 In order to prepare a list of case studies the following information was gathered (where possible) to assist in the evaluation and assessment of appropriate cases to be taken forward for further investigation:
- Developer/occupier
- Name and description of development (use type)
- Location and local authority area
- Scale/size of development
- Current status
- Key contacts
3.4.2 The examples examined provided a varied mix of uses, both city centre, edge of centre and purpose built business park or single user site locations. In general, the reactions to requests for information were positive with local enterprise companies being particularly helpful.
3.4.3 It was noted in certain instances that where inward investors were located in speculatively built or previously occupied premises, the importance placed on, and level of information available in relation to car parking matters was somewhat limited.
3.4.4 Locate in Scotland (now Scottish Development International) were approached and provided a list of 18 potential examples for further investigation although their covering letter did caveat that no mention of Locate in Scotland as the source of the information should be made during any subsequent conversations with the individual organisations. It was also noted that a number of the examples provided were developments that were set up a number of years ago, and their relevance to the current development climate was therefore questionable.
3.4.5 Discussions with Inward investors researched the potential effects that maximum car parking standards may have on:
- The attractiveness of Scotland to inward investors
- Potential business/office developments - locational choice implications
- Potential retail/leisure developments - locational choice implications
3.4.6 A number of other issues were addressed during investigations including where car parking ranks in the inward investor's decision making process with regard to choice of location.
3.5 SUMMARY
3.5.1 Through this study, a number of meetings were arranged, telephone conversations have been held and written exchanges undertaken with interested parties. In total 11 face to face meetings were held and 12 questionnaires were returned. As a result the report contains the details of 19 case studies.
3.5.2 Some other approaches made to companies / organisations failed to produce any responses. Various reasons were given for failing to respond including confidentiality and lack of resources, but there were also indications of limited interest in the issue of car parking in certain instances.
« Previous | Contents | Next »