Villagers are “over the moon” as a council prepares to backtrack on an “astronomical” increase in car park charges.

More than 1,700 people signed a petition after the daily rate at the site in School Lane, Herne, was hiked from £2.20 to £15.

An hourly rate of £1.90 was also introduced, with Canterbury City Council (CCC) accused of “raking it in” at the expense of local businesses and residents.

But the huge backlash has sparked a likely u-turn just six months after the new fees were brought in, much to the delight of those in the village.

Anthony Seminara, who has lived in Herne for 13 years, started the petition in the hope of restoring the original rates and addressed all councillors at a meeting on Thursday night.

He told them: “As of April, our village car park charges have risen to an astronomical level, which is having a major negative impact on residents, businesses and visitors alike.

“Usually rates increase in line with inflation, 3% or 5%; this new rate is a staggering 682% increase.

“We residents used to use the car park on a regular basis as there is little to no on-street parking – double yellow lines are everywhere and most people don’t have a driveway.

“Elderly pensioners visiting family in the village say they’re no longer able to do this as often as they like – some not at all, as they can't afford the charges.”

The new charges were introduced as part of a complete overhaul of parking across the district, which saw the rates in many council-run car parks increase in a bid to generate an extra £1 million per year.

At the same time, CCC reopened the mothballed Park & Ride site in Sturry Road at a cost of £232,500 - money it said would be generated by the wider parking changes.

KentOnline revealed last month that the service’s usage is so low that it is losing almost £30,000 a month.

At the same time, the number of people using School Lane has dropped by almost 35% since the new charges were brought in.

“We residents feel we should not be penalised for a failing park & ride system in Sturry that none of us use,” Mr Seminara told councillors.

Cllr Alex Ricketts (Lib Dem), who led on the parking changes as the authority’s cabinet member for transport, responded to the petition at the meeting.

He explained that as part of the council’s new off-street parking places order, which will go out to consultation next month, it is planned to drastically reduce the fees in School Lane.

“Within that there is a proposal to remove that car park from its current band three, into band five, moving the charge from £1.90 an hour to £1.60 a day, putting it on a par with leisure [centre] car parks,” he said.

“We have listened to the residents. When people bring these issues to us we hope we can listen and hope we can change.

“There is a revenue effect on the council, which is why it has to be consulted on.”

Cllr Joe Howes (Con), who represents the village, told the meeting: “I’d like to thank all the residents of Herne who’ve been heavily involved in this - 1,700 people, which is at least a quarter of the residents within that community, which is absolutely amazing.”

A council spokesman confirmed that, if approved by cabinet on November 4, the parking consultation will run from November 11 to January 6, and the change in fees will take effect from April 2025.

CCC’s full council voted unanimously to back the recommendations of the petition.

Herne resident Scott Davis, whose daughter runs the nearby Smuggler’s Inn pub, welcomed the “wonderful” news.

“There was a massive impact on the lunchtime trade at the pub. People would go in for lunch and it would end up costing them £6 just to go to the car park - trade just dropped off,” he said.

“It just goes to show that if you work hard at these things you can turn them around.

“I’ve spoken to a couple of people and obviously they're over the moon - everyone’s very happy about it.”

Also speaking after the meeting, Mr Seminara said the proposed reduction to £1.60 a day - even cheaper than before the controversial increase - is “better than expected”.

“Personally it’s rekindled my hope in democracy,” he said.

“Maybe it’s a goodwill gesture for the money people have lost.”