Council plans for parking 'tourist tax' at popular Devon holiday hotspot dubbed 'Chelsea-on-Sea'
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A popular seaside town dubbed 'Chelsea-on-Sea' is planning to introduce a tourist 'parking tax' to battle the influx of visitors. Local businesses in Salcombe have warned that the radical proposal to charge tourists more than locals for parking across the district of South Hams could be 'detrimental' to the town's economy.
![[Local businesses fear that the price hike could reduce footfall in Salcombe. Pictured: Tourists holidaying in the seaside town]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/07/93184915-14196659-image-a-2_1734332555896.jpg)
Under the controversial plans, a full day of parking at Salcombe Creek car park would be increased from £6.50 to £10 for tourists, while locals will only have to pay £8. Residents must apply for a discount to ensure they are exempt from paying the 'tourist tax'.
![[Salcombe (pictured) is a popular holiday destination and has been dubbed 'Chelsea-on-Sea']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/07/93185199-14196659-image-a-12_1734333127515.jpg)
It comes as many cities across the UK are considering a European-style tourist tax that would see visitors pay more for hotel rooms. Jude Macintosh, manager of The Ship In Dock Inn, said parking in Salcombe and Dartmouth is a 'constant headache' - and raising prices won't 'attract' guests to come and stay.
![[Wendy Jones (pictured with partner and co-owner Mike), owner of Dartmouth Launderette, said the plans will do shops and businesses 'no good at all']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/07/93185141-14196659-image-a-3_1734332840456.jpg)
She said: 'Dartmouth and Salcombe is particularly challenging on parking and yes it does have a knock-on effect with people coming. 'I don't know why residents get it cheaper. Our bookings have gone down by a third because now we don't provide permits. We took it away because we can't afford to carry that cost.
Council bosses in Salcombe, Devon, are planning to make parking more expensive for tourists. Local businesses fear that the price hike could reduce footfall in Salcombe. Pictured: Tourists holidaying in the seaside town. 'The councils are just trying to keep people away because they are not doing anything - as in parking - to entice them.
