As the consultation period for parking permit proposals comes to a close the controversial plans have received some much needed support.

On October 25 the North Essex Parking Partnership published plans that would allow it to introduce paid parking permits on 63 of Loughton's roads.

An opposition movement quickly formed and 120 protestors took to the streets, angry at the £50 cost for the first and £80 for the second permit.

In the weeks since anger at the proposals has not diminished but was instead channelled online, where an anti-permit petition currently has more than 1,000 signatures.

Away from such strong opposition however, there are those in favour of the proposals.

Patricia Thompson lives in Hornchurch and regularly drives to see her 93 year-old mother in Doubleday Road, Loughton.

Since parking restrictions were put in place close to Debden Station a year ago Mrs Thompson has found it near impossible to park close to her mother's house.

She said: "My mother's carers, myself and my sister regularly visit my mother and we can't park near anymore.

"We have to drive around to find a space because the parking round here is atrocious now.

"If there was a permit scheme that you paid for every year there would be space."

Although she welcomes the permit proposals, Mrs Thompson said she understood those unwilling to fork out for a permits and blamed Essex County Council - which runs the Parking Partnership - for "not knowing what's going on."