SOUTH Brent, Aveton Gifford and Beesands car parks may remain free after a committee at South Hams Council recommended that proposed charges be scrapped.

South Brent Cllr Cathie Pannell said that the matter had been considered by SHDC's scrutiny panel. After a long discussion residents from the villages were given the chance to speak and the committee decided to recommend not to go forward with plans to charge in South Brent, Beesands and Aveton Gifford car parks.

The committee are recommending that all car parks that are currently free across the South Hams, including Follaton House be looked at over the next 12 months.

Cllr Pannell said: 'The recommendation will now go to the executive committee before it is taken to full council. Of course executives don't have to take the recommendation but I hope that they will take into account the strength of feeling shown.

'I think this was the best outcome we could have expected. These issues are bound to be looked at in these difficult economic times.

'Parking charges in Station Yard car park would be disastrous for Brent. We are a working village, reliant on workers and residents, not tourists. If you have to pay for parking people may go elsewhere to shop where they don't have to pay to park, out of the village. This could be the tipping point to Brent's fragile economy.

'It would have a huge knock on effect with people parking elsewhere to avoid paying. It would be bad for the village hall as that would be the obvious place to park if you were looking for somewhere else to go.

'This recommendation will mean the council will have to look closely at the costing, not just of the parking meters but also the possible loss of trade in the village.'

Cllr Pannell explained that the Parish Council were continuing to look into the possibility of taking over the car park themselves. She said: 'Of course this would be costly and the money would have to come from somewhere but we are still looking into it.'

John Coates, chairman of Aveton Gifford Parish Council, said: 'A review of all car parking charges is essential with so many very local influences to be taken in to account.

'It was ironic to be able to park without charge at Follaton House, then give a presentation why Aveton Gifford should not have charges applied. We now wait to be consulted during the district-wide review.'

Clerk to Stokenham Parish Council Gill Claydon said: 'With regard to Beesands, a meeting of residents took place last Monday at which John Baverstock outlined district intentions and offered his support to residents.

'Such implementation of charges was not felt to be economically sound nor supporting sustainable communities as it would affect residents and businesses alike at a time when people cannot afford further outlay.

'Only the middle to far end of the frontage adjacent to the sea defence wall could be charged as the remainder is part of the village green area.

'Thus to charge on such a small area appears to null and void any economic return on income with wardens having to visit weekly/daily and collect charges on such a small amount of spaces, hardly used in off peak times.

'Also it would push residents and visitors to park on the other side to avoid charges, outside peoples front windows and thus an application would then be made for yellow lines which would change the whole street scene of this bygone time fishing village. Again such yellow lines would need to be policed!

'All in all residents and the parish council cannot understand the logic or business case behind such thoughts so scrapping this proposal would seem the only fair and reasonable outcome.

However, having had such put forward last year, and again this year, we await the outcome.'

A South Hams Council spokesman said its joint scrutiny Panel discussed the 2012/13 budget proposals at its meeting on Thursday, January 12.

He added: 'The option to charge in free car parks was debated at length as part of the budget process.

'Representations were made by three of the villages which currently have non-fee paying car parks-South Brent, Beesands and Aveton Gifford.

'The executive will discuss the issue as part of budget proposals at its next meeting on Thursday, January 26.'