Permit parking plan for streets near Golden Mile

Residents will have to pay to park on seven streets near Belgrave Road

Permit parking is set to be introduced on residential roads near Leicester's Golden Mile.

Leicester City Council said it planned to introduce the scheme on seven mainly terraced streets to the east of Belgrave Road.

It is intended to address concerns about commuters and business vehicles using the area for free parking, leaving few on-street spaces for residents, the authority added.

About 560 homes and businesses will be affected by the new rules, the council said.

Like other schemes in the city, residents' permits will cost £35 per year, business permits will be £100 per year per vehicle - or £150 for transferable permits between vehicles - and visitor permits will be £2 for 24 hours or £40 per year.

Permits for landlords and carers will also be available.

The streets set to be included in the scheme are:

• Doncaster Road

• Ardath Road

• Glendon Street

• Beverley Avenue

• Parts of Harrison Road, Halkin Street and Melrose Street

Glendon Street is set to be included in the parking permit zone

Most of the parking in the streets included in the proposal will only be available to vehicle owners with a valid permit, the council said.

However, vehicles displaying a blue badge will be exempt from the permit-only restriction.

A limited number of waiting-only parking spaces will be provided to support nearby businesses, the authority added.

Nisha Popat, chair of the Belgrave Business Association, said: "A lot of residents in the area will not want this to happen and there will be concern from businesses."

The council said it had carried out a public consultation and 75% of people who responded - 177 people - were in support of the proposal.

Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said ward councillors had worked closely with officers to design a scheme that would help address residents' concerns over parking issues.

People have until 9 December to register their support or to object to the proposals.