Tourists to pay more than residents for parking

Tourists will have to pay more than local residents for parking in some south Devon resorts.

South Hams District Council said it would increase charges across its car parks, but residents would be able to apply for a £5 permit which would provide a discount every time they park, reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Nicky Hopwood described it as a "tourism tax" but council leader Julian Brazil said "it's only fair" that visitors that used local services "should pay in some way" for them.

A majority of the council voted for the new charging system which councillors said would be reviewed at a later date to make sure it was working properly.

Councillor John Birch said the council had to find ways of raising money to pay for essential services.

Hopwood said she was worried about the potential impact on local businesses, and also thought residents in South Hams should be able to register for their discounts free of charge rather than paying £5.

She said the proposals were "nonsensical".

But Brazil said: "It's a small increase, and we think it's only fair that visitors who come here and use our services should pay in some way towards those services."

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