PORT ISAAC'S business community could be stumping up the cash to build a car park on a field next to the village's playing field.

Extra parking is needed in the village after the harbour commissioners decided to close the beach car park due to heavy congestion caused by visitors flocking to see the set of the ITV series Doc Martin.

The commissioners have agreed to keep the beach car park open until June 30 to give St Endellion Parish Council time to create alternative parking.

Residents were outraged when plans were announced to build temporary parking facilities on the recreation ground.

Surveyor

Businesses in the village have agreed in principle to offer an interest-free loan and have already paid for a surveyor who is looking at the playing fields. Parish council chairman Barbara Bell said: "There is lots of work to be done but the council is stretched to its financial limits.

"We are working with businesses and talking about an interest-free loan."

On Monday night more than 40 residents attended a parish council meeting.

Resident Eddie Fletcher said: "This is a huge decision for the village and the council should not just have a knee jerk reaction because of the announcement of the beach car park closing. We need to come up with sensible suggestions. Maybe the council should also be approaching Buffalo Pictures (the Doc Martin production company) for a substantial contribution towards the cost. They could then use the land free of charge when filming here"

Profit

Tony Cunningham, landlord of the Crow's Nest, said: "The Cornwall Council car park made £119,000 profit during 2007 to 2008, so if we had our own car park think of the money that could be made and used for the benefit of the parish of St Endellion."

Parish councillor Bill Dawe said he would never back a car park. "This is a playing field and should stay this way," he said.

The council discussed various options and decided to vote on a compromise to investigate whether a car park could be built on a field next to the play area.

The field was purchased by the council with the idea to expand the play area in the future but has been used as grazing land until recently.

Cllr Barbara Bell said: "I propose that we establish car parking for 100 cars in the second field and liaise with members of the business community to expedite this."

This motion was passed.