THE GUNNISLAKE community is expected to be divided over plans to introduce car parking charges in the village by Caradon District Council. The proposals follow work to extend the village car park by 12 spaces, which had been highlighted as a priority in the parish plan. At a meeting of Calstock Parish Council last week local resident Barry Dando asked if he could put posters around the village because there had been very little advertising about Caradon's proposals. Parish councillors also said they had not been informed and the first thing they knew about it was an advertisement in the press. 'I am not saying I object to it but I think people should know about it before it is a fait accompli,' said Mr Dando. Under the new proposals, a 10p charge will be introduced for the first hour, 80p for two hours, £1 for three hours and £1.50 for all-day parking. Residents' parking permits will be limited to 20, costing £58 each plus VAT per annum. Mr Dando told the council he worked from home and used the car park because he had no available parking at home: 'It's not just me, there are a lot of retired residents who park there — if they cannot get one of the residents' permits it will cost them something like £300 a year, which is a lot of money.' There is concern in the village that the car park is always full up with residents and spaces are not available for shoppers or people using the local doctors' surgery. But on the other hand a lack of residents' on and off street parking is also an issue. Cllr Mike Greenwood said from his conversation with shopkeepers, they were in two minds: 'Some think it will hinder the town and others think it will help because more spaces will be available. A lot of people park in there and do not move their car from one day to the next.' Cllr Dorothy Kirk said that at the moment she understood there was no priority for those who had a real need for a parking permit over those who just had a preference — it was a first come, first serve basis. Members of the public have until April 11 to give their views on the proposed parking charges to Caradon District Council. A spokesperson from Caradon Council said a sign was put up at the entrance to the car park advertising the proposed changes the same day as the advert went in the press and a letter had been sent out to the parish council. Cllr John Turner, leader of Caradon Council, said: 'We are currently consulting on car parking charges across the district, and the introduction of charging at Gunnislake car park is one of the proposals.' He said a considerable investment of council tax payers' money had been spent in extending Gunnislake car park, and it was only right that steps were taken to stop the longer term parking that prevented other residents and visitors from using the car park. 'The full council took the view that the introduction of charging would stop the problem of long-term parking and also help to recover some of the costs of the extension to the car park. 'At the same time, it was felt that provision should be made for some longer term parking, as there is a shortage of on street parking available in the village.'
