SOUTH Hams Council has apologised for the disruption it will cause dinghy park users during improvement works at Coronation Park, Dartmouth.

But it believes local boat owners and visitors to the town will benefit greatly once the landscaping works are complete.

Altogether, there are about 80 boats or other craft parked on the park.

Private owners of small boats and crafts have been told they must move their vessels for six months from September while the council carries out refurbishment of the dinghy park. Club boats, dinghies and kayaks can stay and will be moved to another area of the park.

However, river user Kevin Pyne says it is unreasonable that private craft owners are being told they must take their boats away and South Hams Council should be ashamed for even considering such a 'daft' idea.

'How do they expect us to move our boats, many using just a hand trolley, and where do they propose we park them over the winter where we can keep them secure and safe and tidy?' he asked.

'Perhaps we should park them all outside the district council headquarters at Follaton House, Totnes.'

Mr Pyne said the obvious solution was to let owners move them to another part of park for a while.

'It is absolutely impossible and unnecessary as surely we can move the boats to another area within the park, as South Hams Council did when it was going to use the boat storage area, and then never did,' he said.

'To expect boat owners to come up with alternative space is pure lunacy, not to mention the fact that they pay rent for their spaces. We have been told charges will be at £90 for the six months, but a whole year is normally £120, so surely it should be £60 for a half year?'

South Hams Council's Greenspace projects officer Keith Rennells said it was a case of 'short-term pain for long-term gain'.

In an email to Mr Pyne, he said: 'We are giving private boat owners six months' notice to move their boats for six months only, so there is plenty of time for alternative arrangements.

'It clearly did not work for us last time to move the boats to another area of the park. Some people ignored or refused, some people lived up country, and it was very time consuming for the council that we had to move some ourselves at a time when we have much reduced resources to do.

'The fact that the council is investing heavily in a new dinghy park shows clearly that we care about boaters and boating and you yourself know all too well that we've been happy to accommodate pretty much all the local boat clubs requests in the last few years. We've also increased the amount of private dinghy space.'

A council spokesman said: 'South Hams Council is planning to carry out improvement works in Coronation Park this coming autumn and winter, including the refurbishment of the dinghy park.

'This will include a new layout and surfacing to improve facilities for the boat users, with increased capacity.

'In order that these works can take place, the council will be closing the dinghy park for a six-month period between October 2015 and March 2016, reopening in April 2016.

'The council apologises for any inconvenience caused to regular dinghy park customers but, with a range of other landscape works also being planned, it is important that the park is left clear of private boats.

'Local club boats, such as the gig club and yacht club dinghies and kayaks, will be allowed to stay, and moved to a different area of the park.

'The dinghy park is a well used local facility, but in need of refurbishment, and local boat users and visitors to the town will benefit greatly once works are complete.'