Residents will be offered new parking spaces in Beer for �250 after the council decided to open up the coach park to cars.

Beer Parish Council arranged for a sub committee meeting to discuss plans for Townsend Coach Park, and will make 10 new spaces available from April.

A spokesman for Beer Parish Council said: “The council is keen to use this as an opportunity to help alleviate some of the on-street parking problems in Beer for local residents.”

The park, which was a recent acquisition from East Devon District Council, currently provides parking for visiting coaches.

It also has a limited number of restricted parking bays for cars and commercial vehicles.

But as the current restrictions for cars are between 9am to 6pm from April 1 to September 30, the parish council acknowledges parking for residents ‘can be problematic’.

Councillors are keen to try and maximise the space at the Townsend site for Beer locals, so from April 1, extra parking will be available for �250 a year including VAT.

Beer Parish Council will continue to offer coach parking but will also offer 24-hour parking for cars in 10 marked bays.

The priority for the parking permits will be given to those on the electoral roll.

The spokesman said details of the new parking opportunities will be made widely available as the parish council is keen to gauge local interest.

Anyone wishing to be considered for a parking permit should contact the council clerk by email at clerk.beerparishcouncil@googlemail.com, or in writing to Fairview, Southleigh, Colyton, Devon EX24 6JA.