The 89-year-old owner of a motor company in Buckinghamshire said the introduction of proposed parking charges near his showroom could have a 'significant impact' on business.

Buckinghamshire Council issued a public consultation for proposed changes to on and off-street parking in Quoiting Square, Marlow, on January 18, including charges between the hours 7am and 7pm daily, permit parking bays and a 24-hour time limit with a no-return period of 11 hours.

The consultation document states that the restrictions would help to "improve the turnover of vehicles using the Square for parking" and, "all going well", could be implemented later this year.

However, Jim Platt, the owner of Platts, a family-run motor company that has been in Quoiting Square for nearly 100 years, told the Free Press that he thinks the new measures could be "detrimental" and have a "considerable impact" on the local area.

READ MORE: Road in Bucks town to close for SEVEN hours for work on 300-year-old tree

Mr Platt, who is 89-years-old and whose father founded the business in 1925, said staff and customers often used the Square for operational purposes, the loss of which would have a "significant" effect.

He added that he believed some locals who are accustomed to parking in the area would find it "extremely difficult" to pay the necessary permits and expressed concern that they would effectively be "displaced" by the new measures.

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport at Buckinghamshire Council, said: “We’re currently consulting residents over proposals to change the hours of control for parking in a number of locations across Buckinghamshire. This includes a proposal to introduce parking controls at Quoiting Square, Marlow to protect parking space for residents, local businesses and the high street. 
 
"The consultation runs from 25 January to 18 February and we encourage residents and local businesses to participate and have their say. Once the consultation closes all feedback will be considered to help shape the final arrangements.”   

More information about the consultation can be found by visiting https://buckinghamshire.traffweb.app/ and clicking on the Public Consultation icon.