Babergh District Council's cabinet looks set to approve new car parking charges in Sudbury, Hadleigh and Lavenham after years of debate and protest.

It looks set to reject a proposal from the council's overview and scrutiny committee calling for a one-hour free parking period in the parks - claiming that would drain council reserves by £644,000 over three years.

The council’s cabinet agreed in April to stop subsidising three hours of free parking in Sudbury, Hadleigh and Lavenham to help address a £6.7million budget gap over the next four years.

Hadleigh High Street where business fear the impact of parking charges.Hadleigh High Street where business fear the impact of parking charges. (Image: Kathryn Grandon)

Next Friday's cabinet meeting is being urged to reject the free-hour proposal in a move that has already angered those fearing for the future of Babergh's towns.

There are no plans to introduce charges for parking on Sundays or Bank Holidays, and Blue Badge holders would continue to be allowed to park for free for up to three hours in all council car parks.

Deputy council leader John Ward said: ‘We’ve sought extensive feedback, thoroughly considered every option, and acted on every recommendation made in the last six months – including further exploring the option of one-hour free parking.”

The cost of a season ticket would be frozen at £250 and all-day parking will be reduced from £3 to £2.50.

Council leader Deborah Saw said: “We do not believe High Street success is defined by parking charges.

Deborah Saw, Babergh leaderDeborah Saw, Babergh leader (Image: Babergh Council)

"It is decided by many factors, including what they offer residents and visitors – and we believe our towns offer a huge amount and are worth a modest parking fee to visit.”

However Independent Hadleigh councillor Kathryn Grandon, who has been one of the leaders of the campaign against the car park charges, said many businesses in the town centre would be very concerned.

Independent councillor Kathryn GrandonIndependent councillor Kathryn Grandon (Image: Babergh District Council)

She said: "We have a lot of independent businesses in Hadleigh and they rely on people using the town centre.

"I'm a member of the overview and scrutiny committee and we proposed the one-hour free parking to help local businesses. This proposal is really bad news for businesses in Hadleigh and Sudbury."