A final decision on charges for parking permits will be taken by councillors next week.
And Kirklees Council looks set to bring in the permits despite objections.
Kirklees Council is proposing to give all permit holders one free permit – but introduce a £15 charge for a second or ‘specific’ permit, which lasts until the vehicle is sold.
It will affect households living in 160 residents’ parking schemes, including those living near Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, around the university, near the stadium or in areas where residents have difficulty parking and permit zones were introduced.
Currently there are around 4,350 resident permits, 4,325 visitor permits, and 1,600 specific permits in circulation.
Council papers show 40 people formally objected either individually or by signing a petition against the formal traffic regulation order that would lead to the changes.
Most of the objectors do not agree with the principle of paying to park, load or unload outside their homes.
But in the report for Cabinet, Kirklees says: “Residents do not have a legal right to park outside their homes. Permit parking has been introduced in areas, where, because of a factor such as a hospital or university, residents have difficulty parking within the vicinity of their home for the majority of the day and have complained to the council about this problem.
“A permit parking scheme will not guarantee a parking space but will assist in ensuring potential kerb space will be available to allow residents to park on their street.
“Cabinet have taken the view that it is desirable to ensure that beneficiaries of permit parking schemes contribute to their financing, as this facility is not available for all residents. Not all residents will pay for their permits dependant on their requirements.”
Other residents raised the lack of enforcement as an issue and Kirklees says the permits will be “enforced as often as staffing levels permit”.
The authority has dismissed the suggestion that photographic evidence should be used against offenders, saying they cannot take action on third party evidence.
Kirklees has also dismissed the idea as a “money-making scheme” saying it will generate £35,000 which will contribute to the cost of administrating it. Any extra will be spent on parking enforcement.
On Wednesday Cabinet members will hear the case for and against the changes and if they over-rule the objections it will come into force from February 1 2016 with all residents affected being contacted first.
