Have your say on parking standards for new developments in Buckinghamshire

Closes 12 May 2026

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The parking standards and zoning framework

We propose a context‑based zoning approach which sets different levels of parking provision by dwelling size for different areas to reflect variations in local accessibility and travel choices.

For residential developments, four parking zones would apply:

  • a new Town Centre Zone covering high accessibility areas within a short walk of key services/transport hub
  • Zones A, B and C covering urban, edge‑of‑town and rural areas respectively

The proposed residential parking standards for each zone are outlined in the table below:

Proposed residential parking standards by dwelling size and zone
Dwelling size Town Centre Zone Zone A Zone B Zone C
1 bedroom 0.5 1.0 1.5 1.5
2 bedrooms 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.0
3 bedrooms 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.5
4 bedrooms 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
5 or more bedrooms 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5

View a map of the proposed Buckinghamshire residential parking zones.

For non‑residential developments, two zones would apply:

  • Zone 1: larger towns/urban areas covering Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Amersham, Beaconsfield, Buckingham, Chalfont St Peter & Gerrards Cross, Chesham, Marlow, Princes Risborough, Wendover
  • Zone 2: all other settlements.

The proposed non-residential parking standards have been retained from existing standards with some updates to bring them in line with national regulations.

View a map of the proposed Buckinghamshire non-residential parking zones.

More information on non-residential developments

The standards for each non-residential zone are outlined in the table below:

Land Use Class

Zone 1

Zone 2

Storage and Industrial

 

 

B2: General Industrial

1 space per 64 sqm

1 space per 39 sqm

B8: Storage and Distribution

1 space per 130 sqm

1 space per 120 sqm

B8: Data centres*

Case by case

Case by case

Residential Institutions and Hotels

 

 

C1: Hotels, boarding and guest houses

1 space per bedroom

1 space per bedroom

C2: Nursing and Care homes

1 space per 3 residents (unallocated)

1 space per 3 residents (unallocated)

C3: Sheltered accommodation and retirement flats

1 space per 4 units (unallocated)

1 space per 3 units (unallocated)

C4: Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)

See residential parking standards

See residential parking standards

Class E: Commercial, Business and Service

 

 

E(a)(i) Non-food retail

1 space per 38 sqm

1 space per 36 sqm

E(a)(ii) Food retail

1 space per 20 sqm

1 space per 17 sqm

E(b) Sale of food and drink for consumption (mostly) on the premises.

1 space per 17sqm

1 space per 12 sqm

E (c) (i), E (c) (ii) and E (c) (iii): Professional and Financial services

1 space per 34 sqm

1 space per 25 sqm

E(d) Indoor sport and recreation

1 space per 62 sqm

1 space per 26 sqm

E(e) Medical or Health services

1 space per 20 sqm

1 space per 14 sqm

E(f) Creche, Day nursery or Day centre

Case by case

Case by case

F1 Learning and non-residential institutions

 

 

F1(a)** Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth form and College, Higher and Further education

Case by case and in line with school travel plan

Case by case and in line with school travel plan

F1 (a)** SEND School

Case by case and in line with school travel plan

Case by case and in line with school travel plan

F1(d) Libraries

Case by case

1 space per 50 sqm

F1(f)Worship and Religious use

1 space per 25 sqm

1 space per 10 sqm

F2: Local Community

 

 

F2 (a) Shop(>280m2)

Case by case

Case by case

F2 (b) Halls or public meeting places

1 space per 25 sqm

1 space per 8 sqm

F2 (c) Outdoor sport or recreation

Case by case

Case by case

F2 (d) Indoor or outdoor swimming pools or Skating rinks

1 space per 62 sqm

1 space by 26 sqm

Sui Generis

 

 

Hot food takeaways and drive throughs

1 space per 23 sqm

1 space per 8 sqm

Cinemas and Concert halls

1 space per 12 seats

1 space per 6 seats

Dance halls, Bingo, Casinos

1 space per 21 seats

1 space per 15 seats

Live music venues and Theatres

Case by case

Case by case

A list of all Zone 1 and Zone 2 settlements is available on page 35 (Appendix 5) of the Draft Parking Standards for New Developments (PDF 1.10MB).

To what extent do you agree or disagree with our proposed zoning framework to tailor parking standards to local accessibility?
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the introduction of lower parking requirements in highly accessible town centre areas?

The standards propose a new Town Centre Zone covering high accessibility areas within a short walk of key services/transport hub.

More information

The residential parking zones A, B and C and their corresponding standards have been retained from existing standards.

A new town centre parking zone has been introduced for areas with good public transport provision and proximity to key amenities allowing parking provision to be tailored more flexibly to local circumstances. This new zone is characterised by a 15‑minute (1 km) walking radius within the town centres of:

  • Aylesbury
  • Amersham
  • Beaconsfield
  • Buckingham
  • Chesham
  • Gerrards Cross
  • High Wycombe
  • Marlow
  • Princes Risborough
  • Winslow

These well connected locations have been identified as capable of supporting lower parking standards to support densification, regeneration and sustainable travel.

View a map of the proposed Buckinghamshire residential parking zones including town centre parking zone boundaries.

If you have any comments on the zoning framework, including the reasons for your answers above, please tell us here: