THE CITY is braced for soaring parking costs after leaders agreed to increase the cost of permits by up to 100 per cent.

The move will see some families paying double what they currently do to park outside their own homes. Further increases are likely for 2006.

Businesses and charities will also be hit in the pocket as the cost of their permits is also set to rise by 50 per cent while off-street parking in the city is also on the increase.

Winchester City Council leaders say the changes are needed to make the permit scheme self-financing. Currently the money raised through parking tickets and other charges is used to help pay for the scheme.

Residents of the city centre are allowed two permits - a resident's permit and a visitor's - at a cost of £15 each. People in the outer areas of controlled parking are allowed two more, each costing £30. The new tariffs will see the first permit cost £20 and further permits £50 each. A two car family seeking a third permit for visitors will pay £120 to park outside their house for a year instead of the current charge of £60.

Business parking permits will also go up from £200 to £300, and amenity permits for organisations like charities will rise from £10 to £15.

The city council's ruling Cabinet has now approved the changes with the new charges due to be implemented in April.

It was also agreed that charges for on-street parking permits will now be reviewed annually to prevent further massive increases in the future.

Cabinet members who ratified the new fees at a meeting yesterday did question whether an increase to £20 for the first permit would be enough to cover the cost of the resident's parking scheme.

Councillor Kelsie Learney said: "People say, 'I'm a resident, why shouldn't I park in my road?' But if residents want to have restricted parking areas they should cover the cost."

Members then agreed the price of resident's permits will probably rise to £25 in spring 2006. The cost of off-street parking will also be increased.