A BUREAUCRATIC blunder which has seen the withdrawal of parking permits in a Tavistock car park has left office workers fuming this week.

The permits have been issued by West Devon Borough Council since 1986, allowing people working in Brook Street to use the multi-storey car park above Somerfield during the day, subject to an annual fee of £160.

But now the council has written to permit holders, telling them that no more permits will be issued because the policy had evolved ?in error? over the last 16 years, following a decision to allow residents in the area permits.

Jackie Morgan of Fulfords Estate Agents is furious about the move. At present the company pays for a parking permit and another member of staff in the office has bought one personally.

She said: ?It?s going to affect our business drastically. We take the car out every couple of hours and there are no other parking facilities.

?I could understand it if we were taking spaces used by shoppers but there are enough spaces for everyone ? the only time it?s ever busy is on Friday mornings, even at Christmas we can get in there.?

She said she was determined to fight the proposal.

?We won?t just leave this ? we can?t,? she said.

Ann Murray, who travels to work in Tavistock from Sticklepath, said she would ?seriously consider? changing jobs as a result of the move.

?I used to have a huge problem parking and this was like a God-send. I used to drive like a lunatic to get down here to try and find a place and I?m sure it must annoy the residents in Parkwood Road and College Avenue, which is about the only place to park,? she said.

Mrs Murray said she always uses Tavistock to do her shopping, in addition to working in the town ? but she will have to think twice if her parking permit is removed.

Hairstylist Liane Williams said: ?It?s been ideal. It?s the first year I?ve done it and I?m really cheesed off they decided to stop it. I think they?re just being greedy,? she said.

Lynn Bond, who works at the Times, said the convenience of parking in the Brook Street car park was important for work when she had regular customers to go out and meet.

She also felt removing the car park permits could have a knock-on effect for the Somerfield supermarket.

Alison Stoneham, West Devon Borough Council spokesman, said currently, there are 15 workers? permits issued at Brook Street car park. In addition, two permits have been issued to residents in the area.

Mrs Stoneham said: ?Brook Street car park is a short-stay car park where you are only allowed to park for a maximum of three hours.

?We are trying to get people into town and buy from local businesses and local business people are using spaces that their customers could be using.?

Mrs Stoneham said the car park was a busy one intended for short-stay shoppers.

She said workers could buy a 12-month £150 season ticket to park at Abbey car park, Bedford car park or the Wharf, or at Riverside car park for £90 ? all of which were long-stay car parks.

?I accept it will mean they will have to walk further, but we are trying to boost the economy of the town,? she said.