A privately-owned space traditionally used for car parking in Tanworth-in-Arden is set to have a bungalow built on it to the dismay of local residents. 

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's planning committee granted permission for landowner Syed Hussain to build a one-bedroom bungalow in Bellfield, Tanworth, despite warnings that the loss of parking spaces would cause "havoc". 

Two pre-applications – where a developer sounds out the council on the principle of building somewhere – and a full application that was later withdrawn have been put forward for a house on the plot in the past two years prior to these plans for a single-storey home.

Pete Lees, who addressed the committee on behalf of the residents of Bellfield, detailed the history of the site.

He said the car park had been put in place by the district council in the 1950s but that ownership had been passed on to Orbit Housing Association with no conditions placed on the land to retain its use.

He described "a long battle" with Orbit over the sale of the land at auction with another car park near the bowling green also sold and developed. 

"This car park is the only one left for the whole village. It is used extensively, particularly by the village hall which is only a few yards down the road," he said. 

He added that the parish council had unsuccessfully bid with Mr Hussain filing attempts to develop that had "changed many, many times… to try to comply with planning laws and detailed objections". 

"Some have still not been answered in this application," said Mr Lees, reiterating parking concerns and the proximity of gasworks. 

Architect Khurram Shah highlighted that the plot was privately owned and not allocated for parking, accusing objectors of spreading "misinformation" about the relevance of the proximity of gas and electric works.

"We have spoken to both National Grid and Cadent Gas who have come out to do their own site investigations, they have both confirmed the site is perfectly suitable for development," he said.

Cllr Lynda Organ supported the objectors, saying the bungalow would be out of keeping with the other homes but majored on the parking issues.

"Its removal will mean the crisis in parking for residents will get worse," she said. 

"The site for this proposed bungalow is quite clearly a much used and valued amenity, an essential car park. 

"There is a sign there that says it all. Overflow car park – residents, visitors, village hall, church, school and bowling club – that says everything you need to know about the lack of parking in the village."

But while there was sympathy from councillors making the decision, the committee did not see enough grounds to say no, passing the plans unanimously. 

Cllr Anne Parry said: "Clearly, it is very hard when you have had the facility to park somewhere that is safe, off the road and avoids your car getting scratched but from where I look at this, I don't see that as a material planning reason to refuse. 

"We have a shortage of small dwellings. There have been comments that it does not fit with the character of the area but there are bungalows nearby, it is not a case of overdevelopment and there is garden space."