STRONG opposition to any move to introduce parking charges at Wey Hill Fairground car park has been voiced by concerned residents and traders.

Haslemere Town Council, the chamber of commerce and the Haslemere Society all expressed their concerns during an informal consultation on plans to spend £342,000 refurbishing the free car park on common land that could pave the way for pay and display charges.

The borough council's consultation, which ended on November 30, triggered 64 responses which together with officers' responses, have just been posted on its website – in advance of Waverley's "watchdog", the community overview and scrutiny committee's meeting, on January 28.

Members will examine the responses and make any observations to Waverley's decision-making executive before a formal planning application is made to the Secretary of State, under the 2006 Commons Act.

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.