PLANS to increase the cost of car parking permits in Dulverton were voted in by West Somerset councillors at a meeting last week in the face of a barrage of objections.

As well as impassioned pleas from town councillors there were nearly 120 letters of objection from people including businesses, the public and local councillors.

It means the cost of the permits will rise from £90 to £210 by May next year, with a first stage rise from this October to £150 for a 12-month permit and £105 for a six month one.

Town councillors from Dulverton had appealed at the meeting to West Somerset councillors not to make the changes, which also include making the Lion Stables car park a long stay one.

They said West Somerset Council was determined to impose a completely unnecessary burden on the town that would cause hardship for residents and workers, and have a detrimental effect on businesses.

West Somerset councillors were asked to approve the amended recommendations in order to align car parking charges with those across the district, and although some members voted against, it was carried.

The move had been voted for at a meeting in March, in opposition to the local town council’s views, and West Somerset Council then held public consultation as part of the process.

Following the end of the public consultation on July 10, the amended recommendations were put to the full council meeting last week.

Letters of objection from 118 members of the public, businesses, and parish, town and district councillors had been sent in, with one in support.

"The changes in reaction to the consultation conducted in June and July are, to put it mildly, an insult to those who felt moved to comment,” said Cllr Gerry Lewis, Dulverton Town Council chairman and mayor, at the meeting.

Full report in the Free Press (Sept 29)