The provision of parking at ground level below buildings is the least satisfactory arrangement for compact urban developments, as it tends to sterilise the space facing the parking. The only circumstance where under-croft parking is acceptable is:

• on small developments of 0.1 hectares or less, or as a small part of a larger scheme; and
• where it is served from private space, screened from public view; and
• where no more than 10 under-croft car parking spaces are provided within any courtyard.

As with other parking solutions, the provision and type of ground surfaces should be considered from the outset of any new development, and an approach taken that enables the development to strike an appropriate balance between meeting the needs of all users over its lifetime, without the need for adaptation in the future, and addressing the technical requirements and future maintenance of highways.

Consideration needs to be given to the colours, patterns and types of surface used for ground cover. A varied mix of colours can be confusing for people affected by certain health conditions, including dementia, where black and/or dark colours can be viewed as holes, trip hazards or barriers. On a related note, a variety of patterns can create the illusion that there is no clear route to follow, and result in disorientation and anxiety.

Consideration should also be given to the potential for conflict between the provision of tactile surfaces designed for the blind or partially sighted, and the implications of such surfaces on accessibility for less mobile people, who may be using wheelchairs, mobility scooters or walking aids.