FAMILIES have condemned proposals for parking permits in a swathe of city streets, described by one resident as "money-grabbing".
One driver said he was appalled to learn he may face charges of £75 a year just to park his two cars outside his home.
Gary Slater, of Franchise Street, said he could not see why he should have to "pay to park outside his own house".
He said: "The street is never chock-a-block so I don't see the point. And some people in this area can't afford it."
Edvinas Lingys, 23, of Peet Street, said he shared his home with three others who all needed cars.
He said: "We all have jobs that we need the cars to get to. This would be another expense for us and I want it to stay free."
John Noland, 75, of Spring Street, said: "We already pay our rates. It's just another way of the council grabbing more money."
But Simon Bradshaw, 45, of Spring Street, was among those who said it was a "good idea" and he would be willing to pay.
He said: "When the students come in September sometimes you can't park at all and you might have to park as far away as Stockbrook Street."
The authority is consulting households in 18 roads about the parking permits.For the first year they would be free. Then the council says it will decide, with the help of residents, if the scheme should continue, with charges introduced.
The current prices for similar schemes in the city are £25 for one vehicle and £50 for each additional vehicle, with sheets of four visitor permits costing 80p each.
The council is consulting in Stockbrook Street, Pelham Street, Spring Street, Copperleaf Close, Farm Street, Sun Street, Pittar Street, May Street, Ridding Street, Woods Lane, Crown Street, Sherwood Street, Ward Street, Peet Street, Parliament Street, Olive Street, Franchise Street, and Freehold Street.
A council spokeswoman said the authority was "responding directly to concerns raised by residents in the area". People are being asked to give views on the proposals which will then be presented to Abbey ward neighbourhood board so it can "establish if there is sufficient support to implement the scheme".
Councillor Asaf Afzal, chairman of Abbey Neighbourhood Board, said: "The neighbourhood board has identified this as a priority for this year and welcomes residents' views on the proposals."
Parking permits are already in use in nearby Drewry Lane, Wolfa Street, King Alfred Street, Werburgh Street, Lynton Street, Bakewell Street and Jackson Street.
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