Northamptonshire County Council first published plans to increase the amount some town centre residents have to pay to park close to their homes in April.

The plans would have seen the current charge for a parking permit increased from £25 a year to up to £40.

After facing mass public opposition, the increase was scrapped.

But further controversial plans to introduce visitor parking vouchers and put up the cost of on-street parking were passed.

The voucher plans, which will see residents charged £10 for 50 day-long visitor passes a year was among one of the most unpopular moves.

During a meeting to discuss the plans yesterday, Northampton Borough Council member Tony Clarke (Ind, Castle) labelled the plan a breach of people's human rights.

He said: "Introducing scratch cards for visitors will have a real impact on the elderly and infirm, some of whom need four or five visits a day from relatives and carers.

"To limit people to 50 visits a year has a massive impact on their human rights, by dictating to them how many visitors they can have."

He was backed by county councillor Marie Dickie (Lab, Castle), who said: "To the elderly and infirm, the fact somebody can pop in for a quick visit is crucial to them.

"To limit that makes no sense and just runs the risk of more people being forced into care homes. That's what's going to happen when people run out of tickets for visitors."

Borough councillor Jenny Conroy (Lib Dem, St James) added: "Limiting people to 50 visitors a year is just ridiculous. Maybe the people who thought it up think people in the town centre are not as popular as everyone else. It's crazy."

The man charged with making the decision, Councillor Bob Seery (Con, Thrapston) agreed the cost of permits should not go up at the moment.

But he said a trial of the voucher scheme would be introduced and on-street parking would rise to £1 an hour.

He said: "It's very clear a comprehensive review of parking permit schemes for residents and businesses needs to be carried out and residents and business parking permit charges should remain the same until this review has been completed."