Croydon teacher told she couldn't park on road and should rent garage

Icolyn Dennis, 59, has lived on the same Thornton Heath street for 27 years and since  has paid £140 a year for parking permits since they were introduced two years ago.

But last week, when she went to renew the permit, she was told: “The council does not have rights to issue permits to residents on Harcourt Road on the even side below No.90, due to an agreement at development stage between the Council and land developers.”

Instead she was told to enquire about garages on offer in the borough for around £14 a week – or more than £700 a year.

The council has since said this email was sent in “error”.

She said: “I was fuming, I thought nothing about that email can be accurate or even legal.

"I don’t expect to be able to park in front of my house but I should be able to park on my road.”

Despite now being issued a permit, Mrs Dennis is disappointed not to have any proper explanation about what went wrong and is concerned about the mention of an agreement with land developers.

The science teacher said: “I am resilient, but there are individuals the email could cause serious stress to.

"At a time where everything that can go up in price has gone up, it is just shocking.

“For me to have to go to my councillor to sort this out is ridiculous. I think there is a disregard for the people of the borough, there was no explanation, they talk about development and I don’t know what they are talking about.”

Parking restrictions are in place on the road from 8am-8pm, and parking costs £2 an hour or £24 for the whole day.

A Croydon Council spokesperson said: “All of Harcourt Road has been included in our permit zone since introduced around two years ago.

"There are no recent changes to resident parking permits.

"We are aware that a resident’s renewal was mistakenly refused and apologise for any confusion caused.

"We have provided temporary cover while a new permit is issued.”