A NEW 12-space car park has been provided in Hennock churchyard to help ease the Dartmoor village’s parking problems.

Thanks to efforts by the church council and grant funding, the £25,000 St Mary’s Community car park has now been officially opened.

The village, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book, has suffered from a lack of car parking particularly in the summer season.

Three years ago, the council of the parish church of St Mary’s, which is of Saxon origin, looked into using part of the churchyard as a community car park.

The church’s idea was supported by Dartmoor National Park and residents and in December 2015, was granted planning permission for the car park which is centrally located in the village, close to the historic 14th century village hall and pub.

Funding for the design, planning, archaeological and construction costs was met by grants from Viridor Environmental Credits and the Dartmoor National Park Community Fund.

There was further financial support from the village hall, Hennock Parish Council and donations from businesses and residents.

All the work was carried out by Hennock tradesmen and landscaping by volunteers.

A spokesman for the project said: ‘The community car park will provide a much-needed facility for the church and village hall in the future and it is hoped that during the summer season, tourists will be able to stop and explore Hennock and Teign Village.’

Information boards have been erected in the car park providing details of local history and walks.

Jo Rumble, communities officer, of DNPA said: ‘The Dartmoor National Park Authority is delighted to have supported this community-led project with a grant from the Dartmoor Communities Fund. For a small community, Hennock has bags of community spirit and again has created a wonderful new community asset.

‘The new car park builds on the success of the refurbished thatched village hall and traditional village pub ‘The Palk’, providing ample space for residents and visitors to park and enjoy all the village has to offer’.