THOUSANDS of Winchester households will be hit with an increase of up to 100 per cent in the cost of parking outside their home.

Despite a last-minute proposal to postpone raising the cost of residents' parking permits until a full parking review was carried out, city councillors voted through the rises.

Businesses and charities will also see increased parking permit charges of up to 50 per cent, while off-street parking in the city's car parks will also cost more.

Currently residents living in Winchester city centre are allowed two permits - a resident's permit and a visitor's - at a cost of £15 each, while people in the outer areas of controlled parking are allowed two more, each costing £30.

As revealed in the Daily Echo last month the new tariffs will see the first permit cost £20 and further permits £50 each.

Business parking permits are going up from £200 to £300, while amenity permits for organisations like charities will rise from £10 to £15.

Speaking at the meeting, independent Councillor Georgina Busher said: "We have to go with these charges because we can't afford for the scheme not to be self-financing."

Final ratification of the new charges now rests with the council's ruling Cabinet later this month.