Householders are calling for council staff to charge them to park outside their homes.

Resident parking zones were introduced across Brighton and Hove as a way to ensure locals were able to park near their properties.

In an unusual move, residents in the Baker’s Bottom area of Brighton are asking the local authority to introduce the restrictions outside their homes – despite permits costing them up to £120 a year.

Stewart Burnham, of Hendon Street, said: “We’ve been trying to get residents’ parking here for nearly 15 years but we keep on getting rejected by the council.

“People park here for Brighton College or to go to work.

“Because it’s quite a narrow street, there’s no space to leave your cars, so our vehicles get scratched.

“Whenever I have a go at people and say it’s a place where people live they just say, ‘it’s free parking, get over it’.

“It’s the only way we’re going to stop being abused.”

Resident parking zones cover much of the city centre, from the Wish Road area in Hove to Sussex Square in the east.

The restrictions stretch as far north as Old Shoreham Road and Preston Park station.

Baker’s Bottom is currently bordered by Zone U, around St Luke’s, and Zone H, near Royal Sussex County Hospital.

However its three streets – Hendon Street, Bute Street and Rochester Street – still have free parking.

A public meeting will be held in the Round Georges pub in Sutherland Road, Brighton, at 7pm.

A petition is also being circulated among householders.

A council spokeswoman said: “Residents parking schemes are investigated at the request of residents and/or ward councillors.

“They are only implemented if there is a majority in favour in the proposed scheme area which is assessed through consultation.

“This area voted against a residents parking scheme when last consulted in May 2010.

“The Baker’s Bottom area, including Craven Vale, is due to be looked at again in mid-2015.

“Initially parking surveys would be undertaken with an informal consultation to follow.”