A NEW parking scheme for city centre residents in Southampton will go ahead.

The Labour city council Cabinet last night rubberstamped plans to introduce permits costing at least £1,000.

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, the council has been keen to introduce the permits due to the huge rise in the city centre’s population.

The scheme approved last night will be introduced in some areas of the city centre pay-and-display zones, but not those which are largely used by shoppers.

Annual permits would allow residents to park in bays on streets within the zone, but would not guarantee them a specific space.

Vehicles will need to be registered to an address, and registration numbers would be included on permits.