CRAVEN residents could be guaranteed a parking space outside their own homes for around £15 a year.

North Yorkshire County Council has drawn up plans to revise the current provision of residents' parking schemes across the county.

The measures suggested include the issue of permits to residents, limited waiting times outside commercial premises, seasonal operation for "honeypot" villages and shared usage of parking areas.

The restrictions for each road would be drawn up according to need, location and usage and would be imposed at the request, and with the agreement, of the majority of residents.

Each request will be considered on its own merits and the scheme would be tailor-made to the particular circumstances of the road and its users. The proposal includes a standard £15 charge for all residents for each vehicle.

Schemes would not be deemed necessary where alternative parking, for example garages, driveways or publicly available space within 300 metres of the property, is available. North Yorkshire County Council would design and implement the scheme, but Craven District Council would enforce the restrictions.

The scheme would be self-funding with the sale of parking permits and excess charges for motorists contravening the order paying for its operation and enforcement.

The plans were discussed at the county council's Craven Area Committee where councillors welcomed the plans. They will now be distributed to other authorities, including Craven District Council, for consultation.

Coun Shelagh Marshall said: "I have waited four years for this and I am pleased. I do agree with most of the things that are in it."

But she asked for more clarification on the procedure for requesting parking schemes.

Coun Beth Graham successfully proposed that the Yorkshire Dales National Park be omitted as an enforcing authority. She said it would be cheaper and simpler for one authority which covered the whole area to enforce the scheme.

The final decision will rest with the county council's executive committee which will hear the views of district councils, area committees, the Local Council Association and North Yorkshire Police before determining the policy.