AN INCREASE in the cost of parking in East Hampshire District Council-run car parks in Petersfield is set to raise almost £660,000 for the authority over the next three years.

In the year from April 1, 2017, the 17 per cent pay and display increase will generate an estimated extra £163,361 in the central car park alone.

The income increase over the year for the council from all its town centre car parks is likely to be £198,956.

The hike comes after it was announced on February 13 that the authority’s share of council tax for the same year was to be cut by 2.6 per cent, which will lose it about £170,000.

The rise – in the central car park it will go from £1.20 for two hours to £1.50 – was agreed by the council cabinet on April 27, after council leader Ferris Cowper agreed it could be pushed through as an “urgent late item.”

Councillor Julie Butler presented the increase, saying that neighbouring authorities had continued to apply increases.

She added that the proposals also sought to apply a fair and consistent approach to charging in all the district’s car parks.

In a statement the council said parking fees hadn’t changed in the past three years, and they would now be in line with other councils, such as the city authority, Chichester District Council.

Petersfield and Alton will bear the brunt of the increases, with most car parks in Liss, Liphook, Bordon, Horndean and elsewhere exempt.

The cost of a one hour ticket in Petersfield will go up from 60p to £1, and an all-day ticket in Petersfield’s Swan Street car park, for example, will rise from £6.50 to £7.00.

Sunday parking charges will mirror weekday charges, but won’t change where Sunday is currently free.

Season tickets and permit charges will be increased for town centre car parks and reduced for car parks further away. Fees will also be standardised so there are clear options for residents.

A new three month permit will help those who can’t afford the increased prices.

The new charges will come in effect on Monday, June 5.

Details of the increases are available online at easthants.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=126&MId=2219