Tendring District Council has confirmed that residents will continue to receive free parking permits for another year. The announcement, made on 6 March 2026, ensures that householders across the district, including those in Clacton-on-Sea, can park for free after 11am in most council-run car parks for the 2026/27 period.
The scheme allows permit holders to park without charge during the afternoons for most of the year, though the permits are not valid during the busy summer months of July and August. Residents who already have a permit do not need to take any action or apply again, as the council will renew them automatically.
Council leader Mark Stephenson said the decision is a priority to help residents manage their household budgets. Mick Barry, the cabinet member for leisure and public realm, also noted that the scheme is designed to bring more shoppers into town centres to support local businesses.
In addition to the permit extension, the council is spending more than £400,000 to improve parking facilities across the area. These upgrades will include work at the Wellesley Road car park in Clacton town centre and the Bathhouse Meadow car park in Walton-on-the-Naze.
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