More than 1,000 people in Croydon have objected to plans for emissions based parking permits in the borough.

This October some drivers will have to shell out nearly four times more for a parking permit than they currently do if new charges are given the green light.

And 19% of people who responded to a public consultation last month described it as a ‘stealth tax’ by Croydon Council.

The new emissions based charges would be good news for people with electric cars who would only pay £6.50 for an annual resident parking permit.

But, for the most polluting cars, and any made before 2001, drivers would have to cough up £300 a year.

At the moment the standard permit charge is £80 a year.

A report set to be discussed by the council’s Traffic Management advisory Committee on Wednesday (July 24) shows that to introduce the new charges will initially cost the council £28k in 2019/20 and £10k in 2020/21.

After the first two years it is expected to become self financing and is expected to make up to £162,000 for Croydon Council in charges.

But this surplus is expected to fall in the following years as more people give up their cars and replace them with lower emission models.

The council says aim of the new charges is to reduce car ownership and pollution in the borough – in 2016 there were 148,256 cars registered in Croydon.

‘It is a stealth tax’

More than 200 people who responded to the consultation described the plans as a tax on drivers.

In response to the claims, council officers state that there are 7% more vehicles registered in Croydon than last time permit charges were reviewed in 2013.

It states that with more cars there is a pressure on parking spaces which means residents end up driving around looking for a space adding to congestion and pollution.

Most impact on the poor and elderly

There are concerns that the increase will impact most on those who can’t afford a newer car.

As well as 154 responses raising this point it was raised by Conservative councillor Simon Hoar in May.

He said: “And to make such a drastic jump from £80 to £300 for band five cars will hit pensioners and those on lower incomes.

“They are more likely to have older cars and pensioners often don’t use them as much but they are going to be hit with a £300 permit.”

But officers say the highest charge would currently only apply to 8% of vehicles.

They say this means the £300 charge would apply to a “very small number of residents on low income” and therefore can’t be generalised as having more of an impact on low income residents.

What are the proposed charges?

The lowest band, one, would be for cars which emit less than 1g/km of CO2 and cost £6.50 a year.

Band two, 1 – 65g/km would cost £65,

Band three, 76 – 165g/km would cost £104,

Band four 166 – 225g/km would cost £146,

Band five is for cars emitting more than 225g/km costing £300.

And any cars made before 2001 would also have to pay the maximum £300 charge.

Back in March a decision on the plans was delegated out to the council’s executive director of place, Shifa Mustafa, and cabinet members for environment, transport and regeneration Stuart King and Paul Scott.

This means a decision will be made after it goes to the traffic committee on Wednesday.

But if proposals requiring significant changes another consultation will have to come back to cabinet for a decision.