SOUTH Hams Council are not issuing any more parking permits as they ‘clarify’ their proposed plans for changes to the procedure.

Proposals for parking permit changes were released last week, but the council have ‘clarified’ proposals to ‘streamline’ the types of permit available and introduce virtual, paperless, permits.

Rather than limiting the number of bays in car parks that people with parking permits can use, SHDC are planning to limit the number of parking permits to 10 per cent of the number of spaces.

This is where it takes some getting your head around, because currently there are more parking permits in circulation than the council want to limit them to.

SHDC want to limit the number of parking permits to 10 per cent of the available spaces in each car park, but there are currently a higher number of permits in circulation than that 10 per cent, and everyone who already has a permit will have theirs automatically reissued.

This means that SHDC will not be issuing any more parking permits until the number has dropped below the magic 10 per cent.

The council is currently running a consultation asking people what they think of the proposed changes which will run until Friday, February 10, 2017.

Cathy Aubertin, operational manager for car parking, explained: ‘The number of permit types has become unwieldy and this has been confusing for customers. The new proposals would result in a much simpler and, in some cases, cheaper, offer for customers, giving flexibility for customers to keep their own details up-to-date online.

‘There was a real need to review the service to take advantage of technological developments as most permits have the potential to become “virtual”.

‘The council already provides residents and visitors with the ability to pay for parking online, and would now like to modernise the paper permit system, so there would be no need to remember to put a permit in your window, everything would be on the council systems.

‘This has also been an opportunity to revise where permits are used and what permits are available, so the service can be streamlined. In order to manage the use of permits, it is proposed that they would be limited in the future, therefore the limit will only apply to new applications.

‘This is so that there is plenty of parking available for visitors and shoppers. All current permit holders would be able to transfer to the new permits without a limit placed on them.

‘No limits would be placed on Business and Residents’ permits. Although there is a proposal to increase the cost of the Residents’ permit to £40 per annum, it still offers excellent value for money and, with the new start time of 3pm, is ideal for the school run.’

Full and Commuter permits could be replaced by new Town Centre, Peripheral and Rural Permits, these permits would be limited to specific towns and villages but would be £100 cheaper than the current Full and Commuter permits.

Ms Aubertin continued: ‘We’re asking residents, businesses and everyone who enjoys our towns and villages to share their views with us.’

A copy of the proposed Order may be examined at the Council Offices at Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, TQ9 5NE, Mondays to Fridays from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. or on the Council’s website at: http://www.southhams.gov.uk/article/12521/Notice-of-Proposal---Amendment-No3-To-Off-Street-Parking-Places-Order-2015

If any person wishes to object or make representation in respect of the making of the Amendment Order they must do so in writing submitted to Ms C Aubertin, Operations Manager (Environment Services), South Hams District Council, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, TQ9 5NE, or by email to [email protected].

All objections must specify the grounds on which they are made.