OPPOSITION is growing against controversial plans to introduce winter charges at several council car parks in the Newquay area.

Cornwall Council proposes to impose winter charges Albany Road, Belmont Place, Dane Road and Tregunnel Hill car parks in Newquay as well as at Watergate Bay and Wheal Leisure in Perranporth.

Residents and councillors argue the local economy will be detrimentally impacted if the scheme gets the green light as they believe people will be less inclined to visit shops and businesses if the free parking is taken away.

Residents and visitors have enjoyed free parking at the car parks between November 1 and March 31, but Cornwall Council says it wants to ensure parking assets are “managed effectively.”

Newquay Central Cornwall councillor Joanna Kenny said: “I plan to object to this proposal as I have serious concerns about it.

“I think it’s a retrograde step. Cornwall Council reduced car park prices in the summer and lost a lot of income. Now they are trying to recover that money by introducing winter car park charging, which will impact residents supporting our shops.”

Mayor Drew Creek, who is also the Cornwall councillor for Trenance, said: “Whilst I appreciate the Lib Dem/Independent administration wanting to balance the books after what they have inherited and looking at everything that they can leverage to do that I think the removal of free parking in the winter for locals particularly at Watergate Bay and Tregunnel car parks amounts to a surtax on residents.

“I would continue to make parking free in the winter for residents in these locations and instead leverage the summer visitors.

“I gave the portfolio holder Cllr Rogerson a plan for Watergate bay car park building on the success Newquay Town Council has had increasing revenue in its one town car park whilst keeping parking free in winter for locals and using a demand based approach to pricing in the summer by going back to staffing the car park removing the need for enforcement, increasing revenue and sharing those profits between Newquay and Cornwall Councils to improve local services.

“Unfortunately, it seems they aren’t keen on this pragmatic approach. Increasing off season charges only hits locals and businesses at a time when they are already struggling.”

Cornwall Council is inviting residents, businesses, and visitors to take part in a public consultation on the proposed off street parking order amendment plans.

Newquay Town Council’s carpark and highways working party will be discussing the plans before giving its view.

Dan Rogerson, Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport, said: “I appreciate that some residents may park in our free car parks as they are unable to park outside or near their homes, and I particularly encourage those residents to take part in the consultation so that we can understand the impact.

“These are proposals at this stage, and I very much encourage residents to take part in the consultation.”

Residents can give their views by taking part in the consultation which runs until Wednesday, February 4. To take part visit https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/off-street-parking-order-2026