A town council is asking people in the Dereham area about how they would like to pay for parking charges that will be introduced next year. 

Dereham Town Council has released a poll asking people whether they would rather have council tax increased by an average of £9.50 a year to keep free parking at Breckland Council's car parks or pay for them at the point of use. 

The poll is a bid to curb the impact of new parking charges, which are set to be introduced by Breckland Council by the autumn of 2025.

Over 500 people have responded to the Facebook poll so far asking if Breckland Council should increase its council tax to meet the cost of free parking across its district-wide car parks.

The poll is also asking if Breckland Council should hold a referendum over the issue.

The town council is asking people whether they would rather increase the council tax or pay at the point of use.The town council is asking people whether they would rather increase the council tax or pay at the point of use. (Image: Dereham Town Council)
Stephanie Godin, the owner of the dog grooming business Bark 'n Bubbles, said there is currently "an abuse" of the car parking for overnight stays and she would rather see an enforcement of charges overnight or prohibit people staying in the car parks after hours. 

She said: "When I bought the business, one of the perks of the location was having the free parking in Cherry Tree for my clients.

"Since using the car park, I have noticed many vehicles abusing the space like a horsebox being stored and a flat bed van full of trees has been there for months."

Jonathan Pilbrow has also voiced his opinion on the matter of the parking charges.Jonathan Pilbrow has also voiced his opinion on the matter of the parking charges. (Image: Jonathan Pilbrow)
Jonathan Pilbrow, club treasurer at Eaglesham Park, said: "Not all council tax payers who are already paying for the upkeep of the car park use the car park or even have cars to use them.

"We should now be focusing on the free period on offer.

"If you can park free for an hour, that would still encourage people to visit the town and potentially see more footfall with more space for people to park.

"I'm just trying to focus on the positive in this situation."

The cost of holding a possible referendum by Breckland Council would be £140,000 following any request by the town council.