IVYBRIDGE councillors have expressed concerns over plans to charge £30 a year for ‘essential visitor’ parking permits.

Available to disabled Blue Badge holders or those who rely on regular visits from carers or family, the permits can be used to allow careers to park nearby.

The lpermits have been free up to now, but Devon County Council is currently consulting on introducing a £30 charge. The council says the charge would ‘reflect the actual cost of the scheme’. Ivybridge Town Council’s planning and infrastructure committee discussed its response to the consultation at a meeting on Monday.

Chair Tom Bowden said the charge seemed ‘a bit steep’. He added: ‘I can understand why they’re doing it – they’re short of money, but my own personal view is you shouldn’t charge essential visitors.’

Cllr Sara Hladkij said that for people on benefits, finding £30 would not be easy, while Cllr Bowden agreed that the change would ‘cause hardship’.

He wished to ask the county council whether the charge would be means tested.

Objections and comments must be made to Devon County Council by September 14.