PARKING fees are to be imposed in two free car parks at Leg O? Mutton following the approval of ticket machines by Dartmoor National Park Authority last week. The proposal by the Maristowe Estate, which owns the land at the Leg O?Mutton Car Park and St Paul?s Church Car Park, was opposed by local businesses and shop owners because they felt it would have a detrimental impact on trade. But planners were told the effect on the viability of the community facilities was not a planning issue. The visual impact of the machines and signage was considered but this was felt to be minimal. For decades the two car parks in question have been free to shoppers, tourists, visitors to the local nursing home and users of the playpark. The Maristowe Estate proposed implementing charges as part of a review of its land and property. Richard Eales from the Leg O? Mutton Corner Shop said after a community campaign, opponents had resigned themselves to the fact that charges would be imposed because it was Maristowe land. ?People will not pay to park because it has been free for years,? he said. ?It will just cause drivers to park on the roads and block them up or on the moor and who is going to police it?? He said shoppers could now park for up to two hours free in nearby Yelverton and so it was inevitable that he would lose some custom from this move. ?We are out of the way here and this is the last thing we need,? he said. ?We hope to set up a meeting as soon as possible with Maristowe Estate to find out more details about charges and what hours they will be charging.?
