Kingston Council has this week refused a planning application to increase the operating hours of a town centre car park for Unilever staff.

Unilever submitted an application back in March seeking permission to increase the timings its staff can use the NCP Kingston Fairfield car park from 6am - 6.30pm Monday through Friday. 

This would be for staff working at Unilever's new UK and Ireland headquarters on Eden Street, which is set to open this spring. 

The car park is currently open 24/7 seven days a week to all members of the public.

In its decision letter, the council gave its reasons for refusing the application, saying: "The proposed changes are considered to be greater than non-material and therefore do not fall within the parameters of a non-material amendment as set out under Section 96A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended)."

The full application and decision letter can be viewed here.