Issued: 18 March 2024

Bigbury on Sea car park, leased by South Hams District Council since 1997, will soon change hands over to a new operator, RCP Parking Ltd.

Following the end of their lease, the Council has agreed they will give up both the car park and the toilet leases. To renew both leases would mean the Council would be operating at a sizable loss which would not be in the best interests for public funds.

The landowner has entered into an agreement with operator, RCP Parking Ltd, who will take on the full management of both the car park and toilets. This means visitors to Bigbury on Sea will see no interruption to the service with the current parking and public toilets remaining open and available for public use.

The District Council will no longer operate the car park and public toilets from Monday 25 March 2024.

Cllr Victor Abbott, South Hams District Council’s, Executive Member for Community Services and Leisure, said: “We have voluntarily surrendered the lease for these two assets which we have run for many years. We have to run our services sensibly, in a way which is cost effective. We have a duty to our residents to do that since we use public funds for these services and that is why we have reached this decision.

“Decisions aren’t always easy to come to, but when there is a rent increase which means we would be running at a significant loss, then it’s the right thing to do, to walk away and spend money where it’s more urgently needed.

“RCP Parking will be taking over the operation of the car park from next Monday, 25 March. They are an experienced, family run business and have been operating car parks across the UK since 1994.”

For further information on all South Hams District Council’s parking information, including their car park locations, Blue Badge, permits, EV charges and motorhome information across the South Hams, go to: www.southhams.gov.uk/parking