Explanation T11

8.46

Taxis and minicabs are an important part of the public transport system, supplementing bus, tram and rail services as well as providing a service in their own right. The Council and Merseytravel also wish to encourage the progression of taxi provision in the Borough towards the goal of full accessibility. Private hire radio controlled taxi businesses generally aim to operate in a manner whereby vehicles do not spend much time at the base. However, inevitably there can be times between assignments in which taxi vehicles may tend to congregate around the office base. In addition, customers can congregate at the premises prior to their journey. In some cases, such businesses require tall and obtrusive radio masts to provide acceptable radio contact with drivers.

8.47

These issues mean that taxi facilities can, if inappropriately sited, cause problems of on-street parking and/or loss of amenity. Taxi facilities will often be acceptable if located in a town or district centre, or other commercial area. However, if the neighbouring properties include residential dwellings the problems can be more serious. In cases where planning permission is granted, the Council may require the use to operate on a temporary basis to enable its impact to be fully assessed. Other conditions may be imposed to prevent customers visiting the premises very late at night; to limit operating hours; to require the provision of off street taxi parking spaces; or to require the provision of litterbins for customers.   

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