Dartmoor drivers to pay more as park balances books

Drivers heading to Dartmoor will have to pay slightly more to park their vehicles as the moor’s guardians raise charges to make ends meet.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority meets on Friday when members are likely to agree changes in fees and charges which will help it to balance its books.

The authority is responsible for managing the 368 square miles of Dartmoor, and spends around £10 million a year doing it. The largest proportion of the money comes from the government through the National Park Grant Scheme, but the authority has to raise the rest itself.

A report for the meeting stresses: “The charges applied may be the difference between providing a service and having to withdraw it altogether.”

A question mark already hangs over the future of the DNPA’s visitor centre at Princetown, which has been given a stay of execution.

After years of uncertainty because of lack of funds, last year the park authority decided it would have to close, but members agreed to hold off shutting the doors until October after hearing pleas from businesses and parish councillors who said it is essential to bring visitors to the area.

Some £50,000 from DNPA’s reserves will be used to keep the centre open, but members were warned that demands on reserves are high as the authority faces a deficit of more than £500,000 this year.

The government’s changes in employers’ National Insurance will cost an estimated £90,000 in the coming year, with no indication that any help is coming from Westminster.

Car park charges are likely to rise by five per cent this year.

That would mean the charge for a full day at Haytor, Princetown, Postbridge, Meldon or Lydford rising from £5.30 to £5.60. Blue badge holders would see their fee rise from £3.20 to £3.40.

The DNPA also plans substantial increases in the fees it charges for dealing with planning applications. It is currently among the cheapest of Devon’s local authorities, and the increases will bring it more into line with its neighbours.