South Hams District Council Considers Doubling Visitor Parking Charges

South Hams District Council is set to implement increased parking charges for visitors and tourists across more than 20 public car parks within Devon, starting in April 2025. The council has resolved to introduce elevated fees for individuals who are not residents. These visitor parking charges have the potential to be twice the amount paid by local residents, though the precise pricing structure remains undecided. This initiative positions the authority as one of the initial councils in England to adopt a two-tiered parking fee system across its car park network. Julian Brazil, the leader of South Hams District Council, informed the BBC that the additional revenue generated is essential for funding waste collection services, maintaining the operation of leisure centres, and the upkeep of beaches and streets. He further explained that each local household would be permitted to register two vehicles to park at the resident rate. Any subsequent vehicle belonging to the same household would be subject to visitor rates. Mr. Brazil clarified that individuals owning second homes and those staying in self-catering accommodations would not qualify for the residents’ parking rate. Mr. Brazil stated, “I think it’s a fair way of doing it.” He added, “Obviously, no-one likes putting up charges or taxes but in the end they [visitors] put a lot of stress on all the services during the summer. Thousands of extra people visit the South Hams during the summer, that’s strain on the bins, the beaches, the street scenes, I think they should pay their share.” James Norton, director of Toad Hall Cottages, a company managing 1,300 holiday lets with 500 located in the South Hams, commented, “What we should be doing as an area is enticing people down here.” He emphasized that “everyone” relies on tourism, “whether it’s holiday letting businesses, shops, restaurants, bars, cleaners and laundry firms.” He added, “So giving them another reason not to be here seems crazy in my opinion.” Isabella Day, who owns the Remarkable Goldsmiths in Dartmouth, conveyed to the BBC, “It’s probably a good idea.” She expressed hope that “it won’t turn tourism away because I think the sorts of people who come to Dartmouth are willing to pay parking already.” Ms. Day also stated, “As a person who lives here, I think it a brilliant idea because it would be better for me if I could find a space to park.” The Parking Association issued a statement indicating that it is up to “individual councils to determine their parking charges in line with local needs and demand to best support their own residents and businesses as well as cater for visitors.” The precise amount of these fees is scheduled to be determined at a subsequent time.