North Dorset District Council is responsible for the management of off-street vehicle parking in the district. At present there are 21 car parks within the district that form part of the North Dorset (Off-Street) Parking Places Order ( Parking Places Order (pdf, 305kb) (opens in a new window) ).  Also forming part of this order is a  Schedule 2011 (pdf, 169kb) (opens in a new window) which outlines all charges and parking arrangements within these car parks.

A complete list of car parks is as follows:

Charging

All chargeable car parks are designated pay and display. This means once a vehicle is parked within a parking bay a ticket must be purchased from the meter and displayed on the front windscreen of the vehicle.  An adhesive back can be removed from the ticket and then used to secure the parking ticket to the windscreen, this will ensure that it does not move from the windscreen.  Should a current ticket not be visible then a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) may be issued.  All other tickets must be removed.

When a motor cycle parks then a ticket must be purchased. It is advisable to tear the ticket in half vertically and place one half on the vehicle and retain the other.

Parking Permits

It is possible to purchase Parking Permits in a number of our car parks but as there are restrictions on the number of permits per car park please contact us for confirmation of availability prior to application.

Permits can be purchased and cost between £185.00 and £240.00 per annum, this will allow a vehicle to be parked in the designated car park when required.  

They are not transferable between vehicles or car parks.  Details shown on permits are the designated car park, registration number(s) (maximum of 2) and expiry date.  It is possible for businesses to have their business name in place of the registration number.

For an application form please click the car park of your choice from the list below:

Angel Lane Application Form (pdf, 195kb) (opens in a new window) , Shaftesbury (Sold Out at present but add you name to the waiting list by phoning 01258 484315 or emailing bdeakin@north-dorset.gov.uk) 

Bell Street Application Form 2012 (pdf, 192kb) (opens in a new window) , Shaftesbury

Eagle House Gardens Application Form 2012 (pdf, 196kb) (opens in a new window) , Blandford Forum (Sold Out at present but add you name to the waiting list by phoning 01258 484315 or emailing bdeakin@north-dorset.gov.ukt)

Langton Road Application Form 2012 (pdf, 193kb) (opens in a new window) , Blandford Forum

Marsh and Ham Application Form 2012 (pdf, 192kb) (opens in a new window) , Blandford Forum

Station Court Application Form 2012 (pdf, 193kb) (opens in a new window) , Blandford Forum (This car park is free at present but charges will be introduced in April 2012)

Stour Meadows Application Form 2012 (pdf, 193kb) (opens in a new window) , Blandford St Mary (This car park is free at present but charges will be introduced in April 2012)

Chantry Fields Application Form 2012 (pdf, 193kb) (opens in a new window) , Gillingham

Gas Lane Application Form 2012 (pdf, 192kb) (opens in a new window) , Gillingham

High Street Application Form 2012 (pdf, 193kb) (opens in a new window) , Gillingham

Station Road App Form (word, 182kb) (opens in a new window) , Sturminster Newton

Parking Permit Conditions of Use:

1. When a vehicle is parked on any day the permit must be displayed clearly showing all details on its face in the front windscreen of the vehicle

2. The vehicle must be parked wholly within a parking bay but not a disabled bay or parent and child bay

3. The permit remains the property of North Dorset District Council and it can be withdrawn for misuse

4. The issue of a permit does not guarantee the holder a parking space, nor does it render NDDC subject to any liability in respect of loss or damage to any vehicle or its contents or fittings

5. The responsibility for applying for the renewal of a permit rests with the holder

6. A charge of £10 will be administered for any necessary alterations to or loss of a permit

7. A vehicle is likely to be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice if the permit is expired, not displayed correctly or not for the relevant vehicle or car park

8. A Penalty Charge Notice may be issued to any vehicle parked in contravention of the requirements of the current North Dorset (Off-Street) Parking Places Order

Coins

All car park meters accept 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p and £1 coins at present but do not give change. Therefore it is best to use the correct money when purchasing tickets.

If a meter is out of order, please use an alternative meter when one is available.

Cashless Parking - Pay by Phone

The new fast and easy payment option - once parked register for this service by calling 01258 440 257 and provide the following details:

• Car make, model and registration details
• Payment details - valid credit or debit card

This service means:

• Fast and easy payments
• Extra convenience
• No more coin payments
• Text reminders when your ticket is about to expire
• You can extend parking when away from your vehicle but not over the maximum stay of the car park
• No need to display tickets

Customers who have phoned and paid for parking will NOT need to display any ticket. Calls are charged at local rates and will often be included in your monthly minutes. Parking transaction charges apply as follows: 20p for initial parking, 10p for a text reminder, 10p for extending parking (where permitted) 10p for confirmation text.

How does it work?

• After registering you can park in any bay (not designated disabled bays) where you see the Phone and Pay sign. Every location has a unique four digit reference number for you to use when calling
• Once paid, all information is sent to the Enforcement Officer, who will see your car and location details as well as the expiry time of your parking
• You can set up more than one vehicle on your account should you need. Simply listen to the options when you call

Meter not Working

The council would appreciate that a non-working meter be reported as soon as possible.  When doing so please state your name, telephone number, time you found the meter not working and location of meter, you may be asked at which position in the car park as some car parks have more than one meter.

Disabled Parking

If you hold a disabled blue badge there is no charge for up to 3 (three) hours if you park within a designated disabled parking bays in Pay and Display car parks in North Dorset.  A blue badge and disc must be displayed prominently in the vehicle.  

If parking in any other designated bay a parking ticket must be purchased from the meter for the time required.  The Pay and Display Car Parks have wide bays designated for disabled drivers, however, you may incur a Penalty Charge Notice if you park outside marked bays, or fail to display your badge and disc.

Dogs in Vehicles

You are advised not to leave dogs in vehicles unaccompanied during hot weather. It is the policy of this Council to report such incidents to both the Police and the RSPCA.

Obstructions of Highways and Footpaths

Dorset Police (opens in a new window)  are responsible for enforcing obstructions of the highway and footpaths where no other parking restrictions are in force e.g. yellow lines.

Civil Enforcement Officers do not have the powers to deal with these offences unless there are waiting restrictions (yellow lines) on the highway adjacent to the pavement.  In these instances, a Penalty Charge Notice can be issued as the vehicle would be parking in contravention of a traffic order. Waiting restrictions cover the highway from the centre of the highway to the building line.

Illegally parked vehicles cost the Council thousands of pounds a year in damaged paving, damaged grass verges and cause serious problems for blind, disabled and older pedestrians.

Pavement Parking

Pavements are constructed and provided for pedestrian use.

Vehicles parked on pavements are:

• A hazard to pedestrians causing an obstruction which may result in them having to step off the pavement onto the highway, putting themselves in danger
• A hazard by restricting the width of the pavement making it difficult for someone with a pushchair or wheelchair to pass safely
• A hazard due to the damage caused by driving on and off the pavement - broken paving slabs etc.