Businesses, contractors and landlords may soon be able to buy special permits to park in restricted areas in Exmouth and across Devon.

County chiefs are consulting on proposed changes to their parking dispensation permit scheme.

Currently, contractors working on a building site have to pre-book the area they want to park in.

Devon County Council wants to provide the permits to provide greater flexibility.

If approved, three different types of permits will be available to pre-purchase and use as and when required.

These permits are an annual permit for £45, a batch of 20 three-hour short stay permits for £60 and single permits.

Each single permit application would cost £5 plus £5 for each day up to 21 days.

The aim is for the new service to be introduced in September.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highway management, said: “The scheme aims to make it much easier for contractors and landlords, offering them greater choice and reducing the admin they need to do to book a dispensation permit. The permits are essential to enable them to park in areas with parking restrictions, while ensuring that traffic movement isn’t disrupted. However, until this consultation process has been completed, it’s business as usual for anyone booking a parking dispensation.”

To comment online, visit: http://devon.cc/cpetro