PARKING permits may be sold to non-residents in Royston for �500 by the district council.

The proposal comes as part of a review of parking provision in North Herts and will be discussed next Tuesday at cabinet.

Residents currently pay �76 per annum for permits.

North Herts District Council is considering the change as controlled parking zones are expensive to run and in some areas resident take-up is low.

Cllr Tom Brindley, North Herts District Council’s portfolio holder for planning, transport and enterprise said: “A policy will be discussed at cabinet next week that will enable a limited amount of parking permits in certain controlled parking zones across North Herts to be sold to non-residents on a limited basis.

“Many controlled parking zones have not had a high level of take-up of permits by residents and there is spare parking space on-street during the day.

“The aim of the proposal is to help ease the pressure of commuter parking and keep permit prices down for residents.

“A decision is expected to be made next week on the policy but if it is agreed non-residents will have to satisfy a number of criteria before permits would be issued to them, and each zone would be considered on its own merit.

“Our primary concern will still remain the parking needs of residents.”

If approved, the permits would be issued on a first come first served basis with priority given to employees of businesses in the zone, commuters and businesses in the same postal address as the parking zone.

n What do you think of the proposal? How will it affect you?

Contact The Crow on 07557 232154, or via ewan.foskett@archant.co.uk