Free parking at a seafront car park is to be scrapped after a council decided to introduce charges.

Ship on Shore car park, off Marine Parade, Sheerness, is to see parking fees implemented.

It is due to become a pay and display later this year, with drivers having to pay from Monday to Sunday – including public holidays – from 6am to midnight.

People will be charged 65p for 30 minutes, £1.30 for up to one hour, £2.60 for up to two hours, £5.20 for up to four hours and £6.60 for more than four hours.

A monthly season ticket will cost £99, with a quarterly fee being £264.

Vehicles will also only be allowed to stay for a maximum of 24 hours.

However, Swale council staff are exempt from charges and will also be able to park for an unlimited amount of time.

A spokesman for Sheerness Town Council said: “Swale council intend to make the above order under Section 35 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, having obtained the consent of Kent County Council.

“The order will change the use of the Ship on Shore Car Park to a pay and display parking facility and introduce parking charges.

“Residents have until August 7 to object to the plans.”

The car park has been regularly cited as a hotspot for vans and other larger vehicles left there for long periods of time.

It hit the headlines last year when 44-year-old Haig Squire was found guilty of parking multiple “abandoned and dangerous” vehicles at various places, including at Ship on Shore.

He was convicted at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court and told to pay £3,150 – comprising a £1,500 fine, a £150 victim surcharge, and £1,500 in court costs.

After hearing of the new costs, not all residents were impressed.

One person said: “Why didn’t the council just charge for large vans?”

Meanwhile another added: “Why do Swale staff not have to pay?”

A third person said: “The cheapest solution is to get parking officers to mark vehicle tyres with chalk on their wheels like they do in the high street.

“Then the following day issue parking tickets to those who have stayed overnight.

“Any other option could move the problem to other areas such as Barton’s Point or Marine Parade with the added cost of barriers and ticket machines.”

Swale council has been approached for a date for when the fees will be implemented.