CAR park charges in Dorset are to be increased - but local residents will be able to offset the cost with the introduction of two new permit schemes.

Following feedback from residents, town and parish councils, businesses and other stakeholders, Dorset Council is planning the introduction of two new parking permits, as well as changes to proposed charges in its car parks.

The council's recent car park survey saw over 1,900 responses - and as a result, a proposed new permit scheme is being introduced to benefit the people of Dorset.

The authority said that proposals for a permit scheme to reduce the potential impact of the higher parking charges proved to be very popular.

Short stay car park permits were most favoured, but the survey showed a clear need for a long stay permit too.

Therefore, two new permits are being proposed:

Pop & Shop: "It was clear that many residents want a permit that allows them to pop into their local town or village, so the Pop & Shop permit is designed just for that," a spokesman said.

The Pop & Shop permit is flexible, allowing the holder to park in the majority of short stay car parks across the whole of the Dorset Council area for two hours every day of the week.

The cost of a yearly permit is £78, which works out at £1.50 per week. "This is perfect for those who like to make regular visits to their local high street or town/village centre."

It is designed to support local high streets, helping them to rebuild as hubs of the communities they serve following the impact of the Covid pandemic.

Another permit, 'Live, Work & Play,' is also being introduced. Dorset Council said it was also clear from the permit survey that there was a real need for affordable parking for people who live and work in the area, and that respondents wanted this to be as flexible as possible.

The Live, Work & Play permit can be used in the majority of long and short stay car parks across the whole of the Dorset Council area. Maximum stay times in short stay car parks will still apply. This permit is ideal for residents who need to park for work, leisure activities, or for those residents who have no residential parking.

The proposed price for the Live, Work & Play permit is £260 a year - equivalent to £5 a week. A monthly payment option of £25 a month is also available, which includes an administration fee.

To help fund these new permits, some of the proposed car parking charges have been revised, mainly for parking during the peak season at tourist destinations. This is to bring the charges for the most popular summer destinations in line with other comparable areas in the South West.

Existing parking permits currently in use will remain valid until their expiry date, at which point customers will have the choice to purchase either of the two new permits. On-street residents’ permits are unaffected by these proposals.

As reported, parking charges could increase to £10 a day in some Dorset car parks from next year, including Weymouth and Portland.

The council has created a new proposed pricing structure for car parks across the council area in a bid to standardise costs, which currently span from free to £9 all day.

The new three tier pricing structure would see car parks in the Level three tier, including car parks at Weymouth Beach and on Portland, increase to £10 a day during the peak season - April 1 to October 31 - from a current average price of £7.41.

Level one pricing, in Sturminster Newton, Gillingham, Ferndown, Verwood, Charmouth, Beaminster and West Bexington, is proposed to start at 50p for 30 minutes and rise incrementally to £4 for all day, during the off-peak season.

Prices will remain the same in the peak season, except for Charmouth and West Bexington where prices will increase, starting at £1 for 30 minutes and rising incrementally to £10 a day. There is currently no charging for on-street parking in Level one areas, which will be changed to increase incrementally up to £1 for 90 minutes if the council's proposal is approved.

Level two pricing, in Weymouth (shopping car parks), Dorchester, Blandford, Shaftesbury, Wareham, Sherborne, Wimborne and Bridport, is proposed to start at 50p for 30 minutes and will rise incrementally to £6 for all day, from a current average of £4.41.

Level three pricing in Weymouth (beach car parks), Portland, Swanage, Lyme Regis, West Bay and Corfe Castle, is proposed to start at £1 for 30 minutes and rise incrementally to £10 for all day during the peak season.

People who wish to comment on the latest plans are advised to e-mail parkingtransformation@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Once finalised, the proposals will be presented to Place and Resources Overview Committee in October, with Cabinet to vote on whether to implement them in early November. If agreed, the new charges and permits would be introduced in January 2022.

Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment at Dorset Council, said: “We asked Dorset residents what they wanted from a new permit scheme, and we are proposing exactly what they have asked for: a permit for those who just want to pop into their town or village to do some shopping, and another for those who regularly use our car parks when working or spending a full day out enjoying what our beautiful county has to offer.”

“These permits are designed to ensure that Dorset Council residents and people who work in Dorset can access lower cost parking options. We also need to ensure tourists continue to feel welcome here, so we’ve also been careful to make sure that Dorset remains better value to visit than our neighbouring counties."

“We believe we have found a great offer to benefit everybody. This demonstrates how we’re working with all our communities to make parking charges fair across the entire county, while making sure our residents and workers are not left out of pocket.”