OCCUPANTS of disabled bungalows in Gunnislake are angry that a plan they agreed with the former Caradon District Council to provide them each with a parking space has been shelved on health and safety grounds.

A petition has been sent to the new Cornwall Council to oppose the new parking extension at The Orchard — which only provides one more space than before and not one for each property.

Some of the residents attended a meeting of Calstock Parish Council last week where they said they were promised their own parking space when they moved into their bungalows three years ago.

Sharon Symons, whose husband has multiple sclerosis, said at the moment she had to park at the bottom of the hill.

'I have a Renault Classic, which is a big car, but I need this to be able to care for my husband,' said Mrs Symons, who has arthritis and sciatica.

'If I have to walk once up the hill with my husband and then again with the shopping it can be a real strain. Even the young kids don't like walking up this hill.'

She said the original plan had seven spaces and this was supported by residents in the council-owned properties and by the parish council.

'I have been told that the plan has been rejected for health and safety reasons because we have to reverse, but we have to reverse anyway — there is nowhere to put in a roundabout.'

Resident Patrick Fone said to be able to park outside his home would make such a difference to himself and his wife, who had spina bifida.

'Everyone here has some disability or another and we should have a right to a parking space,' he said.

'It took the council a year to put steps in the back garden so my wife could hang out the washing. We are starting to get really fed up with this.'

Cllr Mike Greenwood said there was enough room to put in seven spaces and the cost would not be any greater because the extension was being done anyway.

He said: 'It is crazy. These people are handicapped and need to get in and out of their cars easily. I am not very happy about this because it is not what was agreed and not what the residents were expecting.'

Cornwall Council's district housing manager Russell Hale said there were hopes that three new parking spaces could be created next to the sheltered housing at The Orchard, making a total of seven parking spaces, but the council's highways team raised concerns about access for emergency vehicles as well as the need to maintain a suitable turning area and to ensure cars did not block a public footpath.

As a result, this scheme, and the one for the sheltered housing at The Crescent in Gunnislake, both had to be reduced by one parking space each.

He said: 'This means there will be six spaces at The Orchard and seven at The Crescent, subject to planning permission being granted.

'We have written to residents to explain the situation. We are doing our best to provide as much extra parking as we can in the space available, but, as always, safety must come first.

'Parking will be on a first come, first served basis.'