LINDLEY residents should be exempt from parking charges planned for the rest of Kirklees, a councillor has said.

Kirklees Council decided last month to charge people £30 a year for residents-only parking permits.

The passes had been free.

The move, which will come into force from August 1, will affect 8,675 car-owners in 160 parts of Kirklees.

But Clr Tony Brice believes Lindley is so busy that permit holders there should not have to pay.

The Conservative said yesterday: “Lindley could be classed as a special case and exempted from the charges.

“People have to have permit parking in Lindley or else they wouldn’t be able to park anywhere near their homes.

“The residents are very upset about this and they’re talking of getting a petition going.”

Clr Brice was speaking yesterday after residents living near the Galpharm demanded special treatment.

Dalton Lib Dem Clr Rochelle Parchment has collected signatures calling on Town and the Giants to pay for residents’ parking passes.

Clr Brice believes Lindley is more deserving of special treatment.

“They only get problems round the stadium twice a week at most. We have problems 24/7,” he said.

“If there’s a case for the Galpharm to pay for parking permits there, then surely there’s a case to waive the charges for Lindley.”