Emotions ran high at Oxford Town Hall on Tuesday night as county councillors faced a barrage of opposition and abuse over plans to introduce charges for residents' parking.

About 200 people packed into the public meeting to throw questions at Keith Mitchell, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, David Robertson, cabinet member for transport, and Richard Dix, the council's head of transport.

The strength of public feeling against the proposed £40 permits was evident in the opening minutes. Cries of "you've consulted us but you're going to ignore us" and "where's the democracy?" were met with cheers among the crowd.

And it wasn't just at the meeting that there was overwhelming opposition to the plans.

The Oxford Mail can reveal that 68 per cent of those who replied to a county council consultation on the proposals objected to the plans. Figures obtained showed that two thirds - roughly 5,000 households - oppose charging. And there are now hopes that these results could force a County Hall climbdown.

Mr Robertson, who only a few weeks ago said it was a "fact of life" to charge for controlled parking, admitted there could be a rethink.

He said before the meeting: "I can't pre-judge what the decision will be, but no decision has been made."

But despite his insistence the permit plan is not a done deal, next week's cabinet papers - which contain a recommendation from officers that the scheme is adopted - were printed and circulated before last night's meeting.

An excerpt reads: "Nothing in the consultation reveals significant flaws in the case for introducing charging."

The decision, which will be taken next week, had already prompted fears of showdowns between irate residents refusing to cough up and parking attendants whose job it is to enforce the rules.

At last night's meeting, scores of residents made their views known. A Headington resident said: "I am staggered that we can get to this stage - where the majority of Oxford residents have voted against these plans - and still you want to bring them in. What sort of democracy is this? You are taxing us twice."

Andy Webber, of Botley Road, asked the councillors why he should be forced to pay for parking when there is never a guarantee a space will be available near his home, before adding: "This is a nice little earner for you."

Dave Scott, of Blackbird Leys, said: "We do not want the parking charges and we are not going to pay them."

Another resident said: "It is ridiculous to think that I might have to pay to park in my street in the day but you out-of-towners (referring to the county councillors who live outside Oxford city) can come into the city in the evening, thanks to that scheme you introduced, and park for free in my street."

Concerns were also raised about how much the consultation cost to carry out, with Mr Dix then revealing £45,000 was spent sending questionnaires to 26,000 homes in the city.

One resident said: "You spent all that money consulting us when you'd already made up your minds."

Although the majority were against the proposals, two people did speak in favour.

Defending the plans, Mr Dix said resident parking schemes in other parts of the country carried a charge, adding: "You get something other people don't."

Mr Robertson said if the scheme was introduced it would be 'transparent'.

Mr Mitchell added: "We will think very hard between now and next week."