Car free developments

What is a car-free property?

Car-free properties are homes which have been built without car parking spaces.

The idea is to reduce traffic congestion, reduce air pollution and better manage the limited amount of space available for on-street parking.

By living in a car-free property, you have agreed to certain terms which means you can apply for visitor vouchers, but only a resident permit if you qualify under the PTS, are a blue badge holder, or have been decanted.

Your solicitor or landlord has responsibility for explaining this agreement to you before you purchase or rent a property in a car-free development.

Permit Transfer Scheme (PTS)

The PTS helps some families living in overcrowded or under-occupied properties to move into larger or smaller social rented car-free homes by allowing them to keep one on-street resident parking permit.

These changes apply to existing permit holders under the PTS or new applicants who moved from 30 November 2023.

The PTS is subject to the following criteria:

The applicant must be living in:
1. an overcrowded social or private rented property and move to a larger social rented property with two or more bedrooms; or
2. an under-occupied social rented property and move to a social rented property with less bedrooms.
The applicant must satisfy the resident on-street parking permit eligibility criteria.
Only one on-street resident permit can be held in the household.
If a member of the household obtains or holds an on-street resident permit under the blue badge exemption, then the household cannot obtain or hold a permit under the PTS as well.
These criteria came into force on 30 November 2023. Therefore, a resident will not qualify for a permit if they had moved prior to this date under any circumstances, and there will be no right of appeal.

Help with your application

You can find answers to commonly asked questions about car-free developments below:

Permit Transfer Scheme FAQs

Applying for a new permit

Answer:

1) I was rehoused before 30 November 2023. Do I qualify for a permit under the PTS?

No. The PTS does not apply to residents who were rehoused before 30 November 2023.

2) I need to apply for a permit, but I do not have proof that I qualify under the PTS. What should I do?

Contact the Council's Housing Options Team and ask for written confirmation that the household was moved due to overcrowding.

3) I was rehoused into a car-free property due to homelessness. Do I qualify for a permit under the PTS?

No. The PTS does not apply to residents who were rehoused due to homelessness.

4) I was rehoused before 30 November 2023 and now need a car for work. Do I qualify for a permit under the PTS?

No. The PTS does not apply to residents who were rehoused before 30 November 2023.

5) I was rehoused before 30 November 2023 and now need a car to care for a child or relative. Do I qualify for a permit under the PTS?

No. The PTS does not apply to residents who were rehoused before 30 November 2023.

6) I had a permit under the PTS, but it expired before 30 November 2023. Do I qualify for a permit under the PTS?

No. You no longer qualify for a permit under the PTS because your permit expired 30 before November 2023.

7) I was rehoused to a car-free property with the same number of bedrooms. Do I qualify for a permit under the PTS?

No. To qualify, you must have been rehoused from an overcrowded or underoccupied property (downsized).

8) I was rehoused from an overcrowded property, but the rest of my family still live at the previous address. Do I qualify for a permit under the PTS?

No. To qualify under the PTS, the entire household must have been moved due to overcrowding, allowing the previous property to be freed up for another family.

9) I was not aware, or was not told, that the property was car-free. Do I qualify for a permit under the PTS?

No. It is the responsibility of the property owner, landlord, or solicitor to inform prospective buyers or tenants that a property is car-free before they decide to purchase or rent it. Any complaint regarding this should be directed to them.

10) I want to do a mutual exchange. Would I or the other household qualify for a permit under the PTS?

Yes. Provided both households live within the borough and are on the Council's housing waiting list. The Council's Housing Options Team must confirm that the mutual exchange was required due to overcrowding or downsizing.

11) Does the PTS apply to homeowners or shared owners?

No. The scheme is only available to residents who have been rehoused into social housing.

12) Do I need to have held a parking permit before moving to a car-free property on or after 30 November 2023?

No. You do not need to have held a parking permit before moving to a car-free property to qualify under the PTS.

13) Is there a time limit for applying for a new permit after moving to a car free property on or after 23 November 2023?

No. You can apply at any time after moving.

Renewing, Cancelling and Expired Permits

Answer:

1) My permit expired on or after 30 November 2023. Can I apply for a new one?

Yes.

2) I cancelled my permit on or after 30 November 2023. Can I apply for a new one?

Yes.

3) If I sell my vehicle on or after 30 November 2023, can I keep my permit until I buy another one?

No. Your permit must be cancelled in line with the permit terms and conditions.

Changes to Household Members

Answer:

1) If I cancel my permit on or after 30 November 2023, can another member of my household apply for one?

Yes.

2) Can I transfer my permit to another member of my household?

No. Permits cannot be transferred. However, another member of your household may apply for a new permit.

For any further questions or enquiries, please use our parking contact form.

How to apply

Please make sure you have read and understood the terms and conditions before applying.

You can now apply and pay for all parking permits online through our parking permit system.

To apply for any permit, you must first set up an account. When registering, choose ‘Resident’ as your customer type to apply for a resident permit.

Register for an account

Once we receive your application, it will be assessed within three working days. A pre-authorised payment will be taken but will only debit your account if your application is approved. If your application is rejected, no payment will be taken.

Apply for a resident parking permit