A bid to charge shoppers to park in a seaside town would damage the economy, a report has revealed.

A £48,000 consultation into Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) in St Leonards has recommended on-street bays remain free to motorists.

It says the area's economy is not strong enough to cope with the impact of introducing on-street parking charges.

Hastings Borough Council commissioned the report investigating the possibility of introducing parking meters, disabled bays and new restrictions.

More than 1,600 letters were sent to the council opposing the idea.

Up to a quarter of retail units in St Leonards have recently stood empty and economic leaders fear on-street parking charges will see even more businesses being forced to close.

But the consultation by Colin Buchanan and Partners Limited has recommended on-street parking remains free for now, without the introduction of meters.

The Central St Leonards Parking Economic Impact Assessment Report says introducing parking fees would have a negative effect on the area's already struggling economy.

The report says the negative effects of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) for St Leonards would outweigh the economic benefits.

It recommends the extension of measures, such as the residents permit scheme.

It also says existing charges should be reduced to encourage greater use of off-street car parks.

Members of the Conservative-led Hastings Borough Council will discuss the recommendations at a cabinet meeting on Monday.

But the recommendations have already been welcomed by Labour Councillor Trevor Webb, who has campaigned against the CPZ for several years.

Coun Webb, who represents Central St Leonards, said: "I think this is great news. I've been saying the same thing for the last nine years. I'm pleased they have seen sense.

"It is a great result for people power. I've said this at council meetings all along. I think the whole consultation was a waste of £48,000. That is how the community feels.

"We told them that people don't want a Controlled Parking Zone, but they still went ahead with the consultation."

Despite welcoming the consultation's current recommendations, he admitted he would consider voting for the introduction of on-street car parking charges if the time was right.

About £23 million will be invested in St Leonards during the next five years, including £5.5 million on homes and shops as part of the Alpha Cafe Development.

There will also be £4 million spent on housing renovation and £1.9 million to develop the Marina Pavilion.

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