Some town councils and business groups have warned that the new parking charges in South Hams, Devon, will put people off coming to the area and spending money
Tourists visiting one of the UK’s most popular holiday counties will soon fork out more than locals for everyday expenses.
After months of heated discussions, South Hams Council has finally decided to implement a two-tier parking strategy. That means visitors to South Devon destinations such as Salcombe and Dartmouth will now be paying significantly more for their visits.
Parking charges will increase across all district car parks, but local residents can apply for a £5 permit that offers them a discount each time they park. Councillors were informed that increasing fees for the first time since April 2021 would generate much-needed revenue for the council as it struggles to balance its budget amidst decreasing support from the central government.
However, some town councils and business groups have cautioned that higher fees and charging tourists more than locals could deter people from visiting and spending money in the South Hams. Cllr Nicky Hopwood (Con, Woolwell) labelled it a ‘tourism tax’, to which council leader Julian Brazil (Lib Dem, Stokenham) retorted: “They have a tourism tax on the continent, but people still go there! ” The majority of members voted in favour of the new system, stating it would be reviewed at a later date to ensure its effectiveness.
Cllr John Birch (Lib Dem, Totnes ) argued that the council needed to find ways to raise funds to cover essential services amidst an ‘all-out attack’ on its finances by the government. “If we throw this out, we will be in a very difficult position,” he warned.
Cllr Hopwood expressed concerns about the effects of new proposals on local enterprises and firmly believed South Hams residents ought to secure their discounts without being charged £5, deeming the plans ‘nonsensical’. Wrapping up the discussion, Cllr Brazil remarked: “It’s a small increase, and we think it’s only fair that visitors who come here and use our services should pay in some way towards those services.”, reports Devon Live.
It was reported last year that the tourist charge could be double that locals pay.
Last week Edinburgh became the first city in Scotland to start charging a tourist tax, with councillors voting in favour of a scheme that it is hoped will raised £50million a year. The charge mimics those already used in Germany, Spain and Italy and covers hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering accommodation as well as rooms and properties let through websites like Airbnb.
City of Edinburgh Council has said the levy of 5% will take effect from 24 July 2026 and the revenue raised will be spent on infrastructure improvements. As in South Devon, some business owners are concerned that the charge will put off tourists who might otherwise have visited the city.
Council leader Jane Meagher explained the improvements which she hoped would spring from the scheme. She told the BBC: “They will see cleaner streets, they will see quicker removal of graffiti, better environmental improvements, more attractive spaces and better transport connections. They will see lots of improvements across the city, not just in the city centre.”