Families consider moving amid 'horrendous' Wetherspoons parking row

Families consider moving amid 'horrendous' Wetherspoons parking row Residents living near a Wetherspoons branch in Norwich say cars are being left on verges and close to junctions, with one long-term resident admitting the problems have come so bad she is considering moving Neighbours living near a Wetherspoons say parking problems have become so bad that some are considering moving home after a summer of “horrendous” disruption. Residents around The Whiffler in Norwich, Norfolk, claim pubgoers are leaving cars on nearby streets, verges and close to junctions - sometimes even when spaces remain available in the pub car park. The row has intensified since up to 20 parking spaces at the front of the pub were turned into an outdoor seating area containing nearly 40 tables. The larger outside space was later kept permanently, with locals claiming it has pushed more customers onto surrounding roads. One neighbour, who has lived in her home for around 30 years and did not want to be named, said the situation had become so frustrating she was now considering leaving. She said: “It’s become worse and worse. They park at the pub, spend hours there and then drive home. They park on the road even when there are spaces. We’re now considering moving. We’ve lived here for so long but we just don’t know if we can put up with this any longer.” Residents say cars have also been left near the junction with City View Road, making it difficult for drivers to see clearly when turning onto the main road. Lacey Douglass, a councillor for Broadland District Council, previously lived opposite the pub but has since moved away because of the parking problems. She said: “Some times it literally looks like cars have been abandoned in the middle of the junction. It’s frustrating and it’s still an ongoing issue.” Paula Taylor, who lives on nearby Hercules Road, also fears the way some vehicles are being parked is dangerous. She said: “It’s horrendous. When there are parking spaces available, people will still park on the road. I don’t understand. “I don’t understand how they can physically park on the bank where you can’t see anything and you can’t see people coming around the corner. It’s just dangerous.” Wetherspoon bosses say a planned £1.2million revamp of the pub will include 16 additional parking spaces. Planning permission for the scheme has already been granted, but work has yet to begin while the company agrees “technical details” with Norfolk County Council. A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said: “Planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of the outside area of the pub, which will provide more customer car parking spaces. We are working with the council to agree certain technical details and once that is done, then the works can proceed. “We are not aware of customers not using the existing car park and acting in an anti-social manner when parking nearby but will monitor the situation and take any necessary action.” The plans will also see changes made to the pub’s beer garden, including a new pergola with fixed booths and planters, new flooring and a balustrade. A brick wall matching the existing building is also proposed alongside “wrought iron railings along the garden boundary and gated access”, according to planning documents. Wetherspoon has previously said the project would “improve the existing situation at the Whiffler by providing high-quality additions to the beer garden to improve the community offer for patrons”. But residents raised concerns after the plans were approved by Broadland District Council, arguing the additional parking may not be enough if the revamped garden also attracts more customers. Ashley Lamb, who has lived on Hercules Road near the pub for the last 14 years, said: “It was not the right decision. It’s good they’re adding new car parking spaces but it does not go far enough if they are also adding more tables. “It’s not going to make much difference.”