A NEW West Devon car share scheme looks set to have an allocated spot in a sought after Tavistock car park following discussions at a meeting last week.

Members of the town council's properties committee last week discussed the request by the Tavi Car Club initiative to be allowed a designated space in the Guildhall Car Park for a car club vehicle.

The not-for-profit community initiative intends to enable people who can drive but do not have access to a car to book a vehicle at an economic rate, hiring the car by the hour or the day.

The request was for the council's short term support for the promotion of the start-up period, predominantly allowing a designated parking space for up to three months enabling users to always return the vehicle to the same place in the car park. It would also allow the highly visible car to be seen in a prominent spot in the town.

Cllr Ted Sherrell was in favour of the idea, but believed the space should not be given away for free: 'I think such a community scheme is worthy of our support.

'In principle I have no problems with it, but I have concerns allowing them to have it free of charge if they say they would be prepared to pay. If not the going rate then a considerable amount should be paid for such a space.'

Cllr John Sheldon was opposed to charging the initiative for the space.

He said: 'It is a green issue and a business issue. It may not take off but we have to give the scheme time. I would not charge the for the first three months. The cost of that balanced with what they are trying to achieve — I think we should just support it.'

Other councillors expressed concern that other organisations have to apply for grants to get support from the council.

Cllr Harry Smith said: 'If they asked for a grant they would have to go through the proper process, filling out forms etc before they are in receipt of a grant — in a way this is a grant if we give the space to them for free.

'If we allow this to happen I think other organisations who have applied for grants and not been successful would feel they have been treated differently.'

The committee agreed to allow the initiative the space for three months at the normal charge, with the opportunity to apply for a grant to seek retrospective payment.

The decision was due to be ratified by the full council at its meeting on Tuesday night.