A group supporting local business has lobbied the Council to cut free parking on Sundays to give one hour free on weekdays.

Under Halstead Chamber of Trade’s plans, shoppers using the 110-space Chapel Street car park behind Sainsbury’s on a Sunday would have to pay 50p for the first hour and then £1.20 for three hours.

The first hour would then be free during the week.

No other car parks were included in the plans.

The group’s vice chairman Michael Portway said the change would encourage shoppers during the week to compete with towns like Sudbury and Braintree.

He said: “With the massive car parking on a Sunday morning the Council would do quite well out of it.

“There’s only about six shops open on a Sunday and the only people that benefit from the free parking then is Sainsbury’s.

“The parking rates are very reasonable in Halstead but you can only park for free after 3pm.”

Mr Portway said the idea was very carefully considered and all of the eight to ten members present at the latest Chamber meeting on October 2 were in agreement.

Guests at the meeting included councillor for North Ward Shirley Diver, who did not take part in discussions about parking.

She said: “I can’t speak on behalf of the council we’ve not yet discussed this matter.

“It was quite a surprise that this came up because the Council has fought hard to keep parking as it is and think it is very fair.”

Halstead Town Council clerk Mike Murkin confirmed the Chamber’s proposal letter had been received and would be discussed by councillors at their meeting on November 13.