A joined-up approach to the implementation of Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) has been approved.
The new policy addresses many of the current issues surrounding on-street parking and proactively considers future challenges. The changes are:
- No longer considering CPZ petitions for individual roads as this simply moves the issue to neighbouring ones
- Increasing the level of support required for a formal CPZ consultation to be initiated from 50% to 60% of properties likely to be directly affected
- Making a limited number of business permits available to education, social/health care and emergency service organisations to provide to staff
- Applying standard resident and business permit charges to motorcycles to ensure fairness across all vehicle types
Folkestone & Hythe District Council received more than 250 responses (231 residents and 25 businesses) in a public consultation.
Cllr Polly Blakemore – Cabinet Member for Transport, Regulatory Services and Building Control – said: “I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views on CPZs. While it is impossible to please everyone when it comes to parking, we have taken the feedback on board. Many of the issues raised are addressed in the new framework.
“It provides a consistent, transparent and resident-led basis for assessing, implementing and reviewing CPZs; ensuring future decisions are both evidence-based and aligned with community needs.”
CPZs are areas where all on-street parking is controlled either by yellow lines or designated parking bays, often with a permit system in place.
The number of applications has risen significantly, increasing from approximately six per year to nearly 40 in 2025 – the majority of which relate to individual roads rather than wider area-based schemes.