In 2023 Millbrook Parish Council approached Cornwall Council to discuss the possibility of increasing the number of car park spaces at West Street car park by adopting the green spaces either side of the pathway to West Street play park. Cornwall Council responded that  ”Following discussions with colleagues, we have concluded that the introduction of additional parking spaces in front of the play area would be detrimental to the natural surveillance & safety of the children’s play area. It would also be contrary to the Council’s commitment to the Environmental Growth Strategy”

Millbrook Parish Council thought to revisit the idea with the landowners, Cornwall Council, due to the loss of car parking spaces, partly as a result of the EV charge points, but also an increase in car park usage and an increase in resident permit requests.

Extract from the minutes of the parish council meeting held on 18th November 2025:

120.3 To be reviewed at future meetings: A few years ago, the Council proposed taking over the green space between the car park and West Street Play area. At the time, due to policy on retaining the green space Cornwall Council declined the proposal. The Council discussed the options of contacting Cornwall Council to revisit this proposal, thereby creating an additional seven spaces. Since approaching Cornwall Council the EV Charge Points have been installed, taking up two spaces. Additionally, the demographics have changed where more children remain living at home for longer……

On Friday 20th February, the landowner’s contractors erected wooden fencing along the front edge of both green space sections (between the car park and the play park), with the addition of a retractable bollard to provide access for the Environment Agency.

Millbrook Parish Council were unaware that this decision had been made and that this action would be taken.