Norfolk and Waveney Mind reassure neighbours in Heartsease

In September 2023, charity Norfolk and Waveney Mind submitted plans to extend the small car park of its headquarters in Heartsease.

The Sale Road application to the city council was to demolish an existing garage block and to clear some trees to create 32 spaces, but this was refused.

The decision was appealed with a new layout though, creating 28 spaces, and was approved in November with work completed last month.

The parking issues are in Sale Road on the outskirts of the city centre (Image: Anne Parsons)

However, the new spaces don't seem to have sorted the parking issues after those living in the area said they have had enough of the influx of cars spilling over into the roads and in laybys throughout the day.

Anne Parsons, who has lived in Sale Road for 58 years, says she's had enough of Mind staff and service users parking in the area.

Anne says that on at least two occasions busses haven't been able to get through due to the parking (Image: Anne Parsons)

The 79-year-old said: "I've seen anywhere between 50 and 60 cars parked all around the estate - along the road, in the laybys and on the paths.

"It looks an absolute mess and neighbours are concerned about the issues this has caused.

READ MORE: Pub given one-star hygiene rating and told 'major improvement' needed

"Sale Road is a bus route, with one coming along every 20 minutes or so and on at least two occasions busses haven't been able to get through.

Anne Parsons, 79, has lived in Sale Road for 58 years and said she can't cope with the parking issue anymore (Image: Anne Parsons)

The Norfolk and Waveney Mind headquarters in Sale Road, Heartsease (Image: Google Maps)

"I know it's a public space, but it's also residential and we're not being thought about - they just don't seem to care.

"I can't cope anymore."

READ MORE: 24-hour CCTV proposed for six sites to combat city's fly-tipping 'blight'

The area, around Heartsease Recreation Ground, does not have parking restrictions, with most homes using garage blocks for private parking.

Pete Boczko, chief executive of Norfolk and Waveney Mind, said: "We are aware of parking challenges near our headquarters in Sale Road, where we have been based for almost 30 years.

Pete Boczko, chief executive of Norfolk and Waveney Mind charity said we hope our new car park goes towards addressing residents’ concerns (Image: Anne Parsons)

"We hope that our recently opened new car park goes a long way towards addressing residents’ concerns. Demand for mental health services is ever increasing which presents continual challenges.

"As we continue to grow and expand our reach, we are committed to addressing the evolving needs of our community."

Anne said that she's seen anywhere between 50 to 60 cars parked in the area (Image: Anne Parsons)

Cars have been spotted parking on the path, in the road and in residential laybys (Image: Anne Parsons)