Car parking charges are likely to be increased as part of a money making move which could see Braintree Council cashing in on an extra £70,800.

The proposed financial plan, from April 2018, also includes a council tax rise equivalent to about £5 per year for a Band D property raising this part of the tax to about £175.

Users of seven car parks in Braintree and Witham are expected to be hit by the additional charges for short and long stay parking, as well as an increase in season ticket charges.

Those in Braintree include George Yard Multi Storey, Manor Street, Victoria Street and Causeway House in Braintree.

For Witham it will include Newlands Drive, Mill Lane and Mayland Road.

Tina Townsend, chairman of Witham Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s hard enough for retailers without the increases, we would rather see prices lowered than a rise that will force customers out of town to bigger centres.

“If footfall reduces we will be less likely to attract businesses to fill the empty units.

“We want to attract more people to use the town centre but increasing parking charges may have a detrimental effect.”

Short term charges for up to one hour and between one hour and three hours will increase by 10p and 20p respectively, under the plan.

Longer stay charges, which have not been increased since April 2011, are proposed to be increased by 50p.

A 10 per cent increase in season ticket prices is also proposed.

Brenda Baker, chairman of Braintree Chamber of Commerce, said: “While the parking charges in themselves are not very high, charges have a disproportionate effect on people’s decisions about where to shop.

“It is therefore disappointing to see the costs rise – especially since the 11 per cent plus rise is over the current rate of inflation.

“Braintree and Witham town centres, of course, have particular issues with Freeport as competition in terms of car parking charges.

“There are effectively no charges at the outlet.”

Car park fees and charges are reviewed on a minimum of a three-year basis, with the last review in 2014/15.

The cabinet agenda stated: “The general principle of the charging policy for the council’s discretionary fees and charges is that service users should make a direct contribution to the cost of providing services at their point of use.”

Leader Graham Butland said: “We want to keep residents’ council tax bills down as much as possible but this is the biggest shake up of local government funding the country has ever seen.

“We have a £1.2 million budget gap to fill over the next three years.”

Tom Cunningham, cabinet member for economic development, added: "We have to strike a balance between providing affordable parking and generating the income needed to maintain safe and effective car parks.​"