New community car park for Hennock

The historic village of Hennock sits in the Dartmoor National Park, 600 feet above the Teign Valley and has long suffered from a lack of car parking, particularly in the summer season.

In 2013, The Council of the Parish Church St Mary’s suggested the possibility of using part of the churchyard to create a community car park, an idea positively received by residents and supported by Dartmoor National Park Authority. In December 2015 planning permission was granted for a car park for 12 cars, centrally located in the village close to the Saxon Church, historic 14th century village hall and the village pub.

The new car park was officially opened earlier this month, with the design, planning, archaeological and construction costs of £25,000 having been met by a generous grant from Viridor Environmental Credits and from the Dartmoor National Park’s Communities Fund.  Further financial support was also received from The Village Hall, Hennock Parish Council and donations from local residents and businesses.

All the work has been carried out by local Hennock based tradesmen and landscaping by volunteer labour.  The community car park provides a much needed facility for the Church and Village Hall and it is hoped that visitors will take the opportunity to stop and explore Hennock including spectacular views out across the Teign Valley. Information boards have been erected in the car park providing details of the local history and walks that can be followed from the village to fully explore the heritage of this beautiful area.

Jo Rumble, Dartmoor Communities Officer said ‘The Dartmoor National Park Authority is delighted to have supported this community led project with a grant from the Dartmoor Communities Fund. For a small community, Hennock has bags of community spirit and has created a wonderful new community asset. The new car park builds on the success of the refurbished thatched village hall and traditional village pub ‘The Palk’, providing ample space for residents and visitors to park and enjoy all the village has to offer’. 

The Dartmoor Communities Fund helps Dartmoor communities secure and enhance important local facilities or services and is available to Dartmoor’s rural community groups and parish/town councils.  The main grant programme is not currently open but the Just Do It small grants pot may still be able to help with grants up to £500 for volunteer led environmental projects that enhance your local area or improve access for the public to enjoy it.