Proposals for a controversial permit parking scheme in Bexhill are set to be considered by county councillors.

On Wednesday (September 8), East Sussex County Council’s planning committee is due to consider a recently-created permit parking area in Bexhill, called Zone F.

In a report, council officers say the zone was agreed at a planning committee meeting in February.

However, it adds the agreed restrictions have not yet come into effect due to an issue with how the plans had been advertised.

placeholder image — A map of Bexhill Zone F

In the report, a council spokesman 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.”

Officers say the consultation received 76 objections and 77 supportive items. Three objections were later withdrawn.

Supporters say the tariffs would be fair and help improve parking availability. Objectors’ concerns include the cost and potential for reducing enforcement in other areas of the town.

Officers say the concerns are not considered to be sufficient grounds to amend or withdraw the proposed TRO and are recommending it be approved.

Some of the objections related to the principle of the wider Zone F scheme rather than to the tariff charges. Officers say the new TRO is limited to the fees to be charged, rather than the actual parking restrictions.

Fees are for pay-and-display and permits.

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 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.

The full area covered by Zone F includes part of Cooden Drive; Richmond Avenue; Richmond Close; Richmond Grove; Richmond Road; South Cliff; and West Parade.