Plans to install charging points for electric vehicles at a Durham city retail park have been submitted to the council.

The proposal, submitted by bp Pulse UK through their agent Stantec, intends to convert three car parking spaces at Durham City Retail Park into two electric vehicle (EV) charging bays.

Plans include the installation of two charging units, one feeder pillar, and eight safety bollards.

Minor landscaping changes are also part of the proposal to ensure the new infrastructure fits seamlessly into the existing car park layout.

The current parking area, which serves the retail park, has a total of 334 spaces, including 18 for disabled drivers and two for parents with children.

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The addition of the EV charging bays will result in a net loss of one parking space, a decrease of just 0.3 per cent of the total capacity.

According to the applicant, this loss is considered "negligible" and will have minimal impact on overall parking availability at the retail park.

Charging bays will use Tritium RTM 75 vehicle chargers, and the installation will be close to retail units for ease of access.

The planning application highlights that the development will align with both national and local policies promoting sustainable transport.

This includes the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Durham County Local Plan (2020), and the Department for Transport's (DfT) Circular 01/22, all of which advocate for the inclusion of EV infrastructure.

Proposals comply with the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, which support the rollout of public EV charging points.

Submitted on October 14, the application requests full planning permission without delay, emphasising the proposal's compliance with all relevant planning regulations.

The development is seen as a step towards the UK's target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.