Councillors have given the "thumbs-up" to a new car park in Hartshill

Councillors have given the thumbs up to a new Hartshill car park, saying that it will make a huge difference to the area.

But the scheme, at the back of shops along Coleshill Road, has been condemned by a number of residents who say they have been treated with contempt and now face looking out on an 18ft high fence.

Plans for the 50-space car park were approved by this Monday's North Warwickshire Borough Council's planning board. Retaining walls, fencing, lighting columns were included in the plans although councillors were informed that work had already been completed and that the applicant, MAC Developments and Construction, was seeking retrospective permission.

At the meeting, planning officer Jeff Brown admitted that the car park would have an effect on some of those living nearby.

He said: "There are impacts as a result of this particular development. What you need to ask is can those impacts be mitigated through planning conditions? That, in my view, is the way forward.

"I don't disagree that from a visual impact there is going to be a substantial change – that is perfectly clear. Other conditions can be imposed such as full landscaping on the outside of the walls which would be a benefit.

"It will take a lot of pressure off the parking in Coleshill Road, not only from staff and customers but also from deliveries."

Resident Rachael Hartopp also spoke at the meeting. She said: "The lights are too high, intrusive and will leave homes like an airport runway. There are too many and they need to be reduced to ground level.

"The elderly neighbours in both Chantry Lane and Willow Close feel they have been treated with contempt and the lack of consultation is not acceptable. Homes now have a fence 18ft high which is overbearing and like a fortress."

But councillors voted unanimously in favour of the car park.

Cllr Barry Lees (Con, Hartshill) said: "That part of Coleshill Road is one of the worst areas I know, so to get HGVs delivering to those shops off the road and out of the way is going to alleviate a lot of the problems.

And Cllr Margaret Bell (Con, Hartshill) added: "This is a massive benefit to the community and that can't be exaggerated. It is not a change of use, it has always been car parking but on very rough ground. It looks beautiful and there has been more than adequate drainage put in.

"The topology of the land around there is very strange and very difficult – all of these shops are on a plateau and it drops away to the two side roads. This applicant has paid an awful lot of money to get a strong retaining wall n there so it has made it very safe."