Controversial plans to bring in charges at free car parks have been scrapped.

The decision was met with applause and cheers from the public gallery at a council meeting in Swale House, in East Street, Sittingbourne.

Proposals were put forward to start charging people to use Little Oyster car park in Minster and the library and Park Road, both in Queenborough.

At a meeting of Swale Borough Council’s community committee last night, Cllr Tom Nundy (Ind) suggested keeping the car parks free and instead charging for parking at Swale House during the week and introducing fees at the Shingle Bank car park.

The amendment was voted for by 11 councillors, with three voting against it, despite the committee being recommended to agree to implement the plans from April 1 this year.

However, not all those in attendance agreed with scrapping the new fees with a Faversham councillor stating the decision was “not fair” on their residents who will receive car parking hikes.

This came after a Tory plan to keep the car parks free was scuppered.

The charges at the Sheppey car parks were estimated to bring in £38,000 a year in additional revenue to the council, which is facing “extreme challenges” in balancing its books for 2024/25.

But business owners, cafe workers and tourists told KentOnline it would be like “robbery” if fees were brought in, describing it as “penalising people who want to see the sea.”

Such was the outrage that 900 people signed two petitions set up by the Little Oyster Tea Room and Bosuns tea room in Queenborough.

Little Oyster Tea Room cook Marilyn Ward feared people who use the seafront cafe wouldn’t be able to go there because of the charges.

After the decision to stop the charges, the 62-year-old said she was “over the moon”.

“We’ve actually won. The petitions have seen us Islanders win,” she added, “I can’t wait to get into the cafe tomorrow to tell everyone the news.

“It’s not about the cafe it’s about the whole community being able to park up in the car park for free.

“For the first time in 28 years, I kept the cafe open all winter, when usually it’s closed. But I have so many elderly people who come in just for a cup of tea.

“They come for two or three hours and I just top up their tea with hot water because they don’t have the money.

“They said they wouldn’t be able to come here because £1.40 for an hour would be £1.40 for a cup of tea.”

Meanwhile, Simon Fowle, who also spoke at the meeting, said it is “great for the community”.

The 66-year-old, who opened Bosuns four years ago, said nearby businesses, like the Flying Dutchman pub, get incredibly busy on weekends and feared trade would be impacted by parking fees.

He said: “Of course, it is good for our business but it is mainly a result for the whole area including the charities and volunteer groups such as Castle Connection.

“Common sense prevailed in the end. We are trying to regenerate the area so free parking will help to attract new businesses and visitors.”

Queenborough residents Bernie George and James Wade were “happy with the decision” as they believed if it had gone through they wouldn’t be able to park their cars due to on-street parking.

James, 69, who has lived in Queenborough his whole life said: “As a resident of Gordon Avenue, I wouldn’t have been able to park my car. It’s an outrage.

“The free car parks are usually filled with commuters who park there all day. These people would stop using it and then park on the street.”

However, Cllr Hannah Perkin (Lib Dem), who represents Abbey, questioned why Faversham residents should be facing parking tariff hikes while some Islanders will continue to face no charges.

Councillors had voted to increase existing charges elsewhere on Sheppey and in Sittingbourne and Faversham.

An hour’s stay between 7am and 7pm would cost £1.40, with two hours costing £2.80.

It will be £5.60 for up to four hours and any longer than that would be £7.10.

There was, however, a change in the overnight parking charges.

There will now be an hourly charge between 7am and 10pm and no charge overnight.

Cllr Perkin, who voted against the amendment, said: “I am not going to be popular in saying this but volunteers and clubs have to pay at Faversham swimming pool and the Arden theatre.

“Why should this amendment be voted through on the back of other residents? It’s not fair for my residents.”

Cllr Ben Martin (Lib Dems), who represents Watling, also voted against the amendment pointing to the fact that 23% of car parking spaces on the Island were free compared to Sittingbourne where just 1% were free and 10% in Faversham.

“Car parking costs money to maintain if we scrap these plans there will be financial implications. What office do you want to get rid of?

“We are in a difficult position and we have to be fiscally responsible. It’s easy to be populist but we have to make difficult decisions.”

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The changes will now go to the policy and resources committee to be finalised.