A PROPOSAL to bring in charges for parking in Fernhurst was dropped by leading councillors when they met to discuss increases to rural car park charges.

Chichester District Council cabinet membersvoted for changes, but rejected a recommendation to start charging motorists who park in Fernhurst.

The council has one car park in Fernhurst, which is free. The cabinet now suggests it continues to remain free to support local businesses.

“Every year we review our car park charges,” said Tony Dignum, leader of Chichester District Council.

“This year, we asked parish councils for their feedback on the proposals put forward by the parking forum. We’ve taken on board people’s comments and this has led us to make some changes to the proposals, which includes retaining free parking at Fernhurst and the Sylvia Beaufoy car park in Petworth, as well as reintroducing a free parking period in Selsey East Street and East Wittering Northern Crescent car parks.

“We’re also suggesting we standardise the charging in Midhurst, Petworth, Selsey East Street and East Wittering Northern Crescent outside of the free periods.”

Mr Dignum added: “We want to support our rural retail centres, which is why we have responded to initial comments and made these changes to the proposals.

“As well as offering a free period, the most anyone would pay within our rural car parks would be £2 for eight hours, which is considered to be competitive when compared to other areas along the south coast.”

The council proposes to freeze the hourly rates for the next two years.

“Businesses and customers across the district are now invited to comment on all the charges as part of the public consultation process.”

The dropped proposal for Fernhurst, which the council said would help to cover management and maintenance costs, was to charge after one free hour, but then charge motorists 40p for two hours, rising up to £2 for eight hours. A proposal to introduce season tickets was also dropped.

There are three car parks in Midhurst – North Street, Post Office and The Grange.

At the moment, all three car parks offer free parking for the first two hours.

The council says due to “capacity issues” at North Street and the Post Office car parks, the free period would decrease to one hour, while parking at The Grange would still be free for two hours. North Street and the Post Office car parks would charge 40p for two hours, rising up to £2 for eight hours, while The Grange car park would charge 60p for three hours, rising up to £2 for eight hours.

There are two car parks in Petworth – Pound Street and Sylvia Beaufoy.

At present, the first hour in Pound Street car park is free with charges applied after this time, while the Sylvia Beaufoy car park is free of charge at any time.

It is proposed this would stay the same, but the two hours parking in Pound Street will in future cost 40p, while eight hours will be charged at £2.An increase to season tickets charges is also on the cards.