COUNCILLORS have promised to look into parking provision in Shaldon and across the district.

The assurance comes after complaints from parish councillors in the village that district council planners need to take more care with their decisions amid fears of over development.

Chairman of the parish council, Cllr Prof Peter Williams, wrote to Teignbridge Council expressing councillors' urgent concerns over the 'failure to insist' on off-street parking provision for new residential developments.

Teignbridge spokesman for housing and planning, Cllr Philip Vogel, said the authority welcomed all views which helped to improve parking throughout the district.

He said: 'Clearly there is a role in which planning can support good parking solutions for communities throughout Teignbridge and we are welcoming local views as we work on long term plans for the area.

'We welcome all views which contribute to this process and I am more than happy to come to any town or parish council meeting to listen to local views regarding any housing and planning issues.'

Parish councillors said they felt 'powerless and frustrated' because as consultees on planning applications, they can only make recommendations.

Their letter to Teignbridge stated: 'Teignbridge Council planning officers and councillors have persistently failed to recognise the special parking needs of Shaldon.'

The parish council now has a policy of objecting to any development for new housing or change of use which does not supply on or off-street parking as an integral part of the plans.

Councillors say that the village is a special case due to its narrow streets, listed buildings and chronic lack of on-street parking.

The situation has been made worse recently after the closure of the Royal Standard pub which has been turned into accommodation while the Brigantine chandlery has been converted into luxury beach huts.

Cllr Stuart Barker, deputy leader of Teignbridge Council, recognised there were concerns about parking in Shaldon.

He said: 'Aside from any planning issues which can often be dictated by national guidance and law, there are clearly concerns about parking in Shaldon.

'We appreciate that it has some specific needs as a small area which attracts a lot of tourism.

'We are going to review car parking as part of the new administration at Teignbridge both how it affects small parishes and towns and how it affects tourism.

'We are welcoming views from all sides and we'd like to reach solutions which meet local needs and take community views into account.'