PLANS to reduce charges in some North Dorset District Council car parks will be discussed by the council later this year.

The public is being asked to comment now.

Councillor Val Pothecary, portfolio holder for car parking, said: “We are aware that the cost of car parking is a sensitive issue in our market towns and we hope these proposed changes will help stimulate economic growth in high streets across North Dorset.”

Under the plans the car park at Stour Meadows in Blandford will revert to its free-to-park status.

Three car parks in Blandford will be cheaper to park in for the first half hour, as will three in Gillingham and one each in Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury.

This will be achieved by reducing the cost from 35p to 30p.

The proposed changes to charges can be found at dorsetforyou.com/travel-dorset