THERE was no fanfare and no sign of Martin Clunes or any other cast members of Doc Martin when Port Isaac's controversial £400,000 car park was opened on Monday.
Instead, local schoolchildren did the honours by planting trees at the site off Trewetha Lane where there are now spaces for 140 vehicles.
Years of acrimony have followed the decision of St Endellion Parish Council to spend a large amount of money on creating a car park to cater for the thousands of Doc Martin tourists who now flock to Port Isaac all year round for a glimpse of the now popular landmarks, familiar from the TV show.
The contentious issue has even cost councillors their seats, with others resigning in protest after St Endellion agreed to take out a massive loan to pay for the facility.
The Doc Martin production team has contributed £32,000 towards its cost.
There was talk in the village of placard-waving protests at the opening ceremony, but it went off peacefully in the end.
Parish councillor Nicola Williams said St Endellion Parish Council was delighted to announce that the new car park was now open.
"The project has been completed in time for this year's peak holiday season, and on budget,'' she said.
"We would like to thank all councillors, past and present, who have ensured the delivery of this well overdue facility.''
Former parish council chairman, Robert Harris, who lost his seat at the May election when he came bottom of the poll, added: "It is great to see it completed after all the hard work behind the scenes.
"I hope the whole community will be pleased and will benefit from this new car park."
Cormac, the construction arm of Cornwall Council, built the car park at a cost of £397,000. The parish council also spent £40,000 in consultants' fees. The parish council says the car park will more than pay for itself.
