RESIDENTS will not have to pay to park outside their homes after a Kirklees Council U-turn.

But civic officials warned motorists to expect increased charges elsewhere instead.

Kirklees yesterday dropped its controversial plan to make people pay £30 a year for residents-only parking permits.

The U-turn came after opposition from people living in busy areas – including around the Galpharm Stadium and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

In June, council officials had announced plans to charge £30 a year for parking permits for residents and visitors.

The move would have affected 8,675 car-owners in 160 parts of Kirklees.

The plan – which was backed by Labour, the Lib Dems and the Conservatives – was meant to cover the cost of enforcing the residents-only parking.

A council spokeswoman said yesterday that politicians had agreed to abandon the plan following opposition from residents.

She said: “The major group leaders have listened to what has been said and have considered many of the points raised. They have agreed that it is not the right climate to introduce a charge for permits as agreed in the budget.”

But the spokeswoman added that the £260,000 which would have been generated through parking permit charges would have to be raised elsewhere.

“This decision leaves the council with a budget challenge to consider other options on how it may cover the costs of administering the permit system,” she said.

“Other options currently being considered are extending parking enforcement activities, as well as introducing new pay-and-display areas.”

Increased surveillance of bus lanes is believed to be one of the options on the table.

Clr Cahal Burke, who campaigned against the parking permit payment plan, welcomed the news that the idea has been abandoned.

“The proposal was unfair and ill thought-out,” said the Lindley Lib Dem yesterday.

“Common sense has prevailed and the council has made the right decision.”