Councillors from Nailsworth have lodged a formal complaint in light of what they have called a ‘severely flawed’ proposal to introduce parking charges to the town earlier this year.

Stroud District Council attempted to introduce parking charges across a number of towns across the district earlier this year.

However, the council was forced to drop the plans after councillors u-turned and withdrew their support for the introduction of fees in Nailsworth, Wotton-under-Edge, Dursley and Stroud.

Their change of heart came as a result of public pressure, which included a petition signed by thousands.

Nailsworth Town Council also submitted video footage showing that the evidence that ARUP, a consultancy employed by the district council, was inconsistent and misleading.

The letter of complaint, which was lodged by the town councillors in October, includes frank criticism of the whole process as it “carried an enormous risk to the future viability of market towns in the district”.

“It is not unreasonable to expect that any such proposal should be properly researched, constructed and considered,” the letter says.

Also detailed are specific faults that councillors found in the parking report completed by ARUP, as well as the consultation period that followed it.

“Councillors and officers have a responsibility to ensure that consultants are properly briefed,” it states.

“Furthermore, officers should thoroughly scrutinise consultants work, and councillors should thoroughly scrutinise officers and consultants work. It does not appear that this happened.”

Aside from raising serious concerns about the transparency and openness of the car park review the letter also says that the councillors take issue with the ‘divisive tone’ that report too in comparing towns which already charge for parking – therefore pitting them against each other.

In conclusion the town council insists that a full investigation should be opened into the plans as “the lack of briefing and scrutiny and the poor consultation process nearly resulted in SDC attempting to do something unlawful”.

A Stroud District Council spokesperson said: “A complaint has been logged and acknowledged. We will respond within 10 working days.”

Martin Whiteside, Green Party leader at SDC said: “It is essential that the Council learn lessons on how the proposals for car parking charges in Nailsworth, Dursley and Wotton were developed.

“The Green Party view is that we should have looked much wider at traffic congestion, air quality and improving other means of transport to support the regeneration of our high streets alongside any proposals for parking charges.

Conservative councillors said that “Our high streets are facing a battle for survival. We believe our small market towns are an essential part of life in this district, they provide essential services, employment and a draw for visitors to help keep our economy vibrant.”