A controversial scheme to charge people to park outside their own homes in East Oxford will provide more spaces than residents need, it has been claimed.

Oxfordshire County Council is asking the public about detailed plans for the Divinity Road and Magdalen Road area of Oxford– notorious for parking problems, particularly during university terms.

A council spokesman said there was currently demand for 732 parking spaces in the Divinity Road area, and 1,601 in the Magdalen Road area, based on surveys carried out by the council and information from residents’ association.

Under the proposed scheme — which includes bays partly on pavements — there will be 626 spaces for residents in Divinity Road area, plus 271 shared use spaces which non-residents can use for two hours, and 1,355 in Magdalen Road area for residents, plus 376 shared use spaces where non-permit holders can park for a limited period.

But the idea has met with mixed response – with many suggesting extra spaces will not necessarily mean spots outside their homes.

Residents were also concerned at the idea of cars parking partly on pavements.

Isabel Pack, from Divinity Road, who examined the plans at an exhibition at The Regal, Cowley Road, on Thursday, said: “I am not happy because we at the top end of Divinity Road are being penalised.

“They are suggesting single-side parking and I estimate that for a total of about 50 houses, each of which will be allocated two parking permits, there is going to be space for approximately 25 cars.

“There is clearly going to be no way that I am going to be able to park, unless I am extremely fortunate, anywhere near my house.

“Not only that, but I am going to have to pay for a parking permit for the privilege.”

Mellard Haye, 72, from Divinity Road, beliveved the plans would be an improvement, but said having parking on pavements on both sides of the road would be “horrendous”.

Laura Elliott, 47, who lives in Hill Top Road and is chairman of the Hill Top Road Residents’ Association, said: “We are very pleased about the level of detail they have gone into but very concerned about the trade between the number of parking places available and pavement parking.”

Following initial consultation, around 58.7 per cent of consultees were in favour of introducing the zone in the Divinity Road area, and around 51.7 per cent in Magdalen Road area.

The response rate was 24 per cent in the Divinity Road area, and 21 per cent in the Magdalen Road area.

Ian Hudspeth, transport cabinet member for the council, said: “It is a very emotive issue in that people feel residents should be able to park and that’s what this will hopefully do.

“Following the consultation there may be local adjustments, but given all the consultation we have already had, most of the issues we should know about.”

Consultation will continue until Monday, December 8, and it is intended for their to be a final round of consultation next summer with the scheme being put in place in 2010.

Full details of the plans are available on the council’s website, oxfordshire.gov.uk, under the parking section.