FREE parking could become a thing of the past in many parts of Dartington. The cash-strapped Dartington Hall Trust is planning to charge motorists at various locations on its 1,200- acre estate. The pioneering charity, founded in 1925 by Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst, wants to put up seven pay and display meters in the main car parks at the hall and the shops, better known as the cider press centre. Parking charges may also be introduced at Dartington Recreation Association's car park next to the village's new eco-friendly primary school and close to Bidwell Brook special school. The 56-space car park is used almost entirely by teachers and support staff during term time and is popular at weekends with footballers and other club members at Meadowbrook. Discussions over the plan to introduce charges at the community car park are being held between the trust and the DRA, which manages the site on a 99-year lease. But the proposal has put relations between the two under a strain. The trust says it regrets having to introduce charges for parking, which has always been free, but they are necessary to help cover costs to maintain the estate. It also wants to encourage green travel. Trust chief executive Vaughan Lindsay said: 'It currently costs in excess of £1m a year to maintain the estate, which is open to all and free to explore and enjoy. 'Parking fees will contribute towards on-going maintenance of the estate's roads, footpaths, buildings, grounds and gardens. 'We have a network of permissive footpaths on the estate as well as bike racks available, both there and at the shops. In line with our commitment to sustainability, we encourage people using the estate to cycle, walk, use the public bus or car or taxi share where possible. 'We will also be introducing an electric charging point in the main car park.' Two planning applications for the installation of pay and display machines have been submitted to South Hams Council are expected to be decided by its development management committee on June 11. Mr Lindsay said disabled parking would be free and there would be a 15-minute free period in all car parks, which may help parents dropping off and collecting childrens. 'Details of the scheme, including fees and exclusions, are still being considered and we will share these as soon as they are finalised,' he said. The new arrangements are aimed at ensuring public parking is located closest to the main visitor attractions, with the overall number of spaces not changing, except for extra capacity at Barton Farm, which is the subject of a separate planning application. There would be four pay and display meters for the shop car parks at Shinners Bridge, which have space for about 207 vehicles for public use. In addition, there would be 50-60 spaces for staff and overspill from Foxhole. At the hall, there would be four parking meters for the 109 public spaces and 213 permit spaces. At Aller Park there would be one meter for visitors in a car park that would be shared with permit holders. One pay and display machine is proposed in the DRA car park where parking would be intended for use by the community. Charges here are expected to be around £1 for four hours. No charges for evening parking are planned. Agent for the trust, planning consultant Steve Munday said the trust regretted having to introduce charges for parking which has hitherto been free but the strategy was part of improvements being introduced to implement the Dartington's Vision document. He added: 'The trust anticipates that the introduction of parking charges may be contentious, where hitherto parking has been free.' Dartington Parish Council chairman Cllr Brian Evans said: 'What they do on the estate is up to them but our main concerns are at Meadowbrook.' He said the council was acting as a mediator between the trust and DRA to try to come to a resolution. He said: 'The fields, car park and buildings were supposed to be sacrosanct in trust for the benefit and use of the parish and that should not be encroached upon. This has not made for a better relationship.' Dartington residents have also raised concerns over road safety. In a letter to South Hams Council, Chris Edwards, of Broom Park, said if charging was permitted, teaching staff, faced with a lack of parking within the school grounds, would find alternative locations on village roads and lanes. In another letter, Mr and Mrs R Handley, of Cott Road, said: 'As it is parking is very difficult in a thriving village like Dartington so to now install meters both visitors, workers, people dropping children of at school will now start to park in surrounding roads creating potentially dangerous situations.'