Climate change impact assessment
The purpose of this assessment is to help us understand the likely impacts of our decisions on the environment of North Yorkshire and on our aspiration to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030, or as close to that date as possible. The intention is to mitigate negative effects and identify projects which will have positive effects.
This document should be completed in consultation with the supporting guidance. The final document will be published as part of the decision-making process and should be written in Plain English.
If you have any additional queries which are not covered by the guidance, please email climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk
Version 2: amended 11 August 2021
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Title of proposal |
Parking Principles |
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Brief description of proposal |
To Harmonise Parking Policy Across the Whole Region |
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Directorate |
Environment |
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Service area |
Parking Services |
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Lead officer |
Steve Brown |
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Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment |
Jane Wilson Parking Policy and Technical Operations Manager |
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Date impact assessment started |
12/01/2025 |
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Options appraisal Were any other options considered in trying to achieve the aim of this project? If so, please give brief details and explain why alternative options were not progressed.
Prior to LGR, parking policy was made up of On-Street policy, NYCC and Off-Street policy by the remaining 7 boroughs and districts. Parking policy was delivered at LGR as Safe and Legal with no fundamental change or business as usual and has remained that way since. It has been considered to leave things at the ‘status quo’ but it has been found that there are several inefficiencies as a result, one of which is the way in which we manage traffic that affects cleaner air opportunities, particularly in town centres. One of the aims of this project is to change parking habits to encourage better use of walking, cycling and public transport by better managing the availability and costs of parking.
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What impact will this proposal have on council budgets? Will it be cost neutral, have increased cost or reduce costs?
Please explain briefly why this will be the result, detailing estimated savings or costs where this is possible.
Whilst the principal aims of the project are to support Local Transport Plans and manage kerb space and support Civil Parking Enforcement operations, parking services have some heavy lifting to do in additional revenue to support savings. This project is designed to improve the revenue income by harmonising operating times of car parks (Charging periods) and better splitting the On-Street and Off-Street charges to reflect their impact on air quality and subsequently the climate. The budget impact is positive.
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How will this proposal impact on the environment?
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Positive impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
No impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
Negative impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
Explain why will it have this effect and over what timescale?
Where possible/relevant please include: · Changes over and above business as usual · Evidence or measurement of effect · Figures for CO2e · Links to relevant documents |
Explain how you plan to mitigate any negative impacts.
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Explain how you plan to improve any positive outcomes as far as possible. |
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Minimise greenhouse gas emissions e.g. reducing emissions from travel, increasing energy efficiencies etc.
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Emissions from travel |
X |
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Traffic will be encouraged to either, use outer area long stay car parks or use public transport. To park On-Street right in the middle of towns will come at a premium. |
Parking in town centres particularly the principal towns will come at a premium price. |
A harmonised, across the region policy, will benefit all and it will support the Local Transport Plan. |
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Emissions from construction |
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X |
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Emissions from running of buildings |
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X |
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Emissions from data storage |
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X |
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Other |
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X |
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Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic |
X |
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As part of the Principles Project, it is intended to procure a self-service, digital permit system. Currently, 40,000+ paper permits are distributed for parking every year and this will reduce that down to just a few hundred who maybe cannot access online services. |
It is accepted that some people may not be able to access online services so they will be able to still receive a paper option. |
As the years progress more and more people will use online facilities further reducing the reliance upon paper permits. |
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Reduce water consumption |
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X |
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Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)
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X |
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Air pollution as previously explained |
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Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers |
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X |
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Enhance conservation and wildlife
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X |
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Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape
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X |
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Other (please state below)
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X |
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Are there any recognised good practice environmental standards in relation to this proposal? If so, please detail how this proposal meets those standards. |
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The Local Transport Plan which the Parking Principles supports has fundamental aims around the climate effects of traffic.
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Summary Summarise the findings of your impact assessment, including impacts, the recommendation in relation to addressing impacts, including any legal advice, and next steps. This summary should be used as part of the report to the decision maker.
The Parking Principles is designed specifically to support the Local Transport Plan and harmonise parking policies on a county wide basis. At its heart it aims to encourage the use of walking, cycling and public transport. |
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Sign off section
This climate change impact assessment was completed by:
Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Barrie Mason
Date: 28/07/2025
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