THE charge sought by Teignbridge District Council (TDC) for use of one its car parks by the NHS was the minimum it could offer as the health provider finds a new location for its breast screening unit.

Typically, when visiting Bovey Tracey, the Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust’s mobile breast screening unit would set up in Station Road car park.

However, this year the unit has gone elsewhere after TDC sought to charge the NHS for use of its car park.

It is understood neighbouring district councils allow such units to park for free and TDC had not charged previously, the Mid-Devon Advertiser understands.

The cost implications of using council car parks is thought to be £1,000.

The council says that a change to its policy last year meant that it had to charge, though it says the charge was the minimum that it could offer.

The NHS has instead set up its breast unit at the House of Marbles.

The popular attraction said it was ‘pleased to support our community’ by hosting the breast unit.

A spokesperson for TDC said: ‘A change to our constitution meant we were able to waive the majority of fees for requests such as this.

‘Due to the number of spaces taken and the length of time requested by the NHS for the mobile screening unit, TDC applied the minimum charge that we could offer, which must adhere to the Council’s financial limitations.

‘We are pleased that the NHS team was able to find an alternative site nearby free of charge.’

TDC admitted to charging the NHS to use council-owned car parks for mobile health screening units back in 2024.

Then council leader, Martin Wrigley, who has since become an MP, said that it was ‘clearly ridiculous to charge for an essential service’, blaming an ‘old policy’ for the charges.

He admitted the decision, which he says was made by a council officer, was ‘bonkers’ and promised a new policy will be put in place, though it would appear that no such policy has materialised.