A decision to introduce parking permits in parts of Bracknell – which will lead to residents with several cars having to pay to park outside their own homes – has been met with a mixed reaction.

The scheme, rubber-stamped by Bracknell Forest Council’s executive on Tuesday, will allow a maximum of five annual parking permits per household in 45 streets around the town centre.

Two of these will be free, and a third permit would cost £20, a fourth £40 and a permit for a fifth car would mean households would have to shell out £70.

The majority of people commenting on the News’s Face-book page backed the scheme.

Sheilagh-Anne Davidson said: “Of course we will need permit parking otherwise shoppers will take all the space. I think it’s a good thing but they should give three free permits. This is the average amount of cars per household so I think they should be free, then four to five paid for.” Becky Teverson added: “I think this is a good idea as long as residents can get spaces.” Gayle Taylor, from Easthampstead, is disappointed restrictions will not be introduced there. She said: “My road is a joke to park in – I can’t get anywhere near our house with three small children, yet there are people with three, four and five cars per house.” However Suze Woodley, from Jennett’s Park, said she was concerned with the idea of Portman Close being one of the roads where a permit was needed.

She said: “This could be a huge problem, as Larchwood respite unit is there and it is used by many families of severely disabled children, like my own son.

“If we had to apply for a permit to drop off and collect my son then we would have to miss out on the only break from caring for him because of this.” Roy Goodger described it as “another council tax”. Residents will also be given 100 four-hour stay and 100 24-hour stay permits for visitors.

Cllr Chris Turrell, executive member for transport and planning, said residents had backed the scheme in a consultation.

He said: “Regenerating the town will bring in many extra visitors and vehicles during and after construction. We need to make sure that people who live here get priority to park near their own homes.

“We asked residents how they wanted us to protect their ability to park and overwhelmingly the response was for a permit scheme.”