EAST Sussex County Council’s planning committee has approved proposals for a new permit parking area in Bexhill, known as Zone F.
The scheme had previously been agreed by the committee in February but could not come into force because of an issue with how the plans were advertised.
A report to councillors said: “Following the planning committee meeting, officers became aware that the advertised proposals had not included the proposed parking charges or permit tariffs for Zone F.”
“As a result, a further consultation on a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the paid for parking charges and tariffs was required before Zone F could come into effect.”
The committee agreed, on Wednesday 9th September, to approve the new TRO, setting parking prices and allowing the wider restrictions to come into effect.
The new TRO sets out the costs for pay-and-display and permit parking. Most of the designated bays are mixed-use, while some parts are permit-only.
Pay and display charges will start at 35p for up to two hours and up to £1.50 for up to 10 hours. A 10-hour ticket is equivalent to all-day parking, as the restrictions only run from 8am to 6pm.
Permit parking fees run a greater range of costs, partly because the county council offers permit discounts for lower-emission vehicles. The cost of a permit also takes into account whether it is the first or second vehicle linked to an address.
The lowest price for a 12-month permit would be £19 for a low-emission vehicle (producing 100kg or less of C02 per km), as long as it were a household’s first vehicle to be registered.
A non-discounted 12-month permit for Zone F (for vehicles which produce more 185g per km) would cost £115 for a first permit or £154 for a second.
This structure of charges saw concerns raised by Bexhill South councillor Victoria Carson (Ref), whose division includes the parking zone.
In a statement read on her behalf, Cllr Carson said: “I recognise the parking pressures felt by residents here and understand why they’ve asked for action. However, I do not believe the committee should approve these charges today.
“Basing a permit on a car’s emissions seems reasonable in principle, but in practice a family or pensioner who cannot afford to replace an older car pays far more than a neighbour who can; regardless of how much either actually drives or needs to park.”
She also raised concerns about the impact of introducing paid parking on Polegrove recreation ground.
Councillors heard how the permit costs are the same across the whole of the county and are intended to encourage adoption of low emission vehicles.
The committee also heard a consultation received 76 objections and 77 of support. Three objections were later withdrawn.
The area covered by Zone F is: part of Cooden Drive; Richmond Avenue; Richmond Close; Richmond Grove; Richmond Road; South Cliff; and West Parade.
