CAMPAIGNERS are demanding plans for parking permits in their neighbourhood are scrapped.

Residents from Iffley Fields handed in a petition to County Hall, which is responsible for controlling on-road parking, which they claimed showed 97 per cent of the 350 households surveyed objected.

They fear it would mean fewer parking spaces, encourage people to park on pavements and have a “devastating effect” on businesses.

Residents would also have to pay £40 a year. A decision is expected in the autumn.

Dr Amar Latif, of the Iffley Fields Residents’ Association, said they wanted more consultation.

He said: “The petition will come as a blow to Oxfordshire County Council which has long hoped the controversial plans will be pushed through. It shows the strength of feeling in the area against the proposed parking zone.

“We have long held the view that any scheme should be designed with the needs of local residents first and foremost. The council can’t ignore our repeated objections.”

The restrictions would affect , Warwick, Chester, Stratford, Parker, Bedford, and Argyle streets, Daubeny and Fairacres roads and Jackdaw Lane, where there are currently only a few yellow lines.

Business consultant Pete Cranston, 59, of Bedford Street, said: “I work from home and clients will find it a lot more difficult to come over with these parking restrictions. It feels like Iffley Fields has just been tagged onto a much wider proposal, which does not meet any of our needs.”

Gabriele Hock, who runs a physiotherapy and acupuncture clinic from her home in Warwick Street, added: “We receive a lot of patients who are elderly and disabled and so have to come by car.

“This scheme will stop these people receiving valuable care they deserve and limit the amount of patients we can receive to just 50 for the whole year.

“It will seriously affect our livelihood and viability as a business, and in the current economic climate this is the last thing the county council should be introducing.”

County council spokesman Paul Smith said £40 was less than other cities, such as Bath, where the charge was £85. He added: “Charges help pay for the enforcement and administration of the zones.”