Exeter

Plans for a new city centre car park in Exeter have been criticised.

Proposals to turn the former bus station site into a car park are part of a public consultation which also involves increasing car park prices across the city.

The Green Party said the plans for a new car park were "ridiculous" and did not "make any financial sense".

The Labour leader of the council said he wants to increase the options available for the use of the site.

The council is considering creating a new Paris Street car park, external on part of the old bus station site which was demolished earlier this year.

Previous plans for offices and a multi-purpose performance venue on the site were scrapped in 2023.

Diana Moore, Exeter Green Party leader, said: "A new car park, right next to St Sidwell’s Point, a place which is meant to be a showcase for sustainability and health, and close to a dangerous roundabout and the new bus station, beggars belief."

Ms Moore said the plan showed a "breathtaking lack of imagination".

She said: "This decision also puts cutting carbon emissions, reducing congestion and improving air quality firmly into reverse gear.

"As existing city centre car parks are underutilised, this decision doesn't make any financial sense either."

The council is also looking at raising prices at car parks across the city centre.

The council's executive met on Tuesday to approve the plan for a six-week public consultation which should begin later in August.

Liberal Democrat group leader Michael Mitchell also raised concerns at the meeting about how the plans fitted alongside Exeter City Council's plans to become net zero on carbon emmissions by 2030.

Phil Bialyk, leader of the council, said he understood the concerns raised by opposition parties but said the council was trying to prepare for different scenarios.

He said: "All this will do is give us the ability to charge for whatever part of the old bus station site we might choose to use as a car park site.

"Having a parking order will increase our options on how we can use this space for the benefit of the people in Exeter."

Mr Bialyk said the council was working on new plans for the area which were expected to be made public in the autumn.