Council officers who drew up the authority’s parking standards for new developments have been told to think again.

The borough's planning committee was presented with the updated standards document which tells developers how much parking they need to provide for new houses, new commercial and industrial units and converted buildings.

Of particular concern was the stipulation in the central zone of Swindon – the town centre and Old Town – that no parking would need to be provided, and also that houses converted into shared homes of multiple occupation aren't allocated more parking spaces than a single occupancy house of the same size.

Committee member Nick Burns-Howell, who represents Old Town, said: “There is a lot that’s good in this, but I think we need to pause and reflect. Parking and congestion is one of the most important issues for many residents.

“This is a missed opportunity to look at the central zone and I know Old Town and Eastcott councillors would like to see this looked at.”

Stan Pajak, who sits for the Eastcott ward, said that looking again at telling developers HMOs would need parking to be provided would have another effect.

He said: “It could put them off trying to convert so many houses in the central areas of Swindon into HMOs.”

Councillors voted overwhelmingly to send back the draft documents to officers. They have been asked to review the size of the central zone where parking need not be provided, the idea that non-residential buildings in the centre also don’t need parking, and whether HMOs should be treated differently to single-occupancy homes.