A 500 signature petition has failed to overturn a plan to charge people for parking outside their homes.

Maidstone council plans to scrap free parking permits for residents next year. Instead people will be charged £25 for their first parking permit, £25 for a second one and £50 if a third is needed.

The council also wants to abolish free Sunday parking in Maidstone’s pay and display car parks.

A public debate was called by Lib Dem councillors last night, when Maidstone resident Don Bates presented his petition against both plans, signed by 519 people.

Mr Bates said: "Residents have expressed their anger to me, particularly those who every evening have the nightmare of seeking a place to park on their return from work.

"On Sunday parking it is clear the whole of this exercise is to suck more money from mainly Sunday worshippers and residents."

The scrutiny committee asked Cllr Mark Wooding (Con), cabinet member for environment, to look again at certain aspects of the plan.

These include how the new scheme will be publicised to carers who may need to park in the affected areas, the exact zones liable for the charges and whether the council should reduce the 270 free parking places it gives its workers in Pay and Display car parks.

Cllr Wooding has stated the charges would prevent abuse of the parking system and that the £25 was an "administrative charge" that would make some profit for the council.

But Tony Harwood, (Lib Dem) whose party opposes the plans, said: "It is clear the council has made up its mind to do this and the reason is to fill a hole in the budget.

"The council should look closely whether it really needs 270 spaces in those car parks, as this is where savings could be made."