More than 200 objections have been made to controversial plans to charge disabled people to park in Wiltshire’s car parks.

The 204 expressions of concern were among 389 complaints from around the county to a new Wiltshire Council parking strategy.

But the Conservative-run authority is to press on with its plan to charge people with Blue Badges for parking in its car parks.

The council says the move will bring it in line with neighbouring local authorities – and could reduce abuse of disabled parking spaces by other motorists.

The council launched a public consultation exercise into its plans earlier this year, and transport cabinet member Dr Mark McClelland is now about to confirm the changes.

The worry over the impact on disabled people was the biggest source of concern in the consultation exercise, with other participants anxious about the knock-on effect on local businesses.

A report on the issue outlines the council’s arguments for the introduction of the controversial charges.

It says that soaraway inflation has knocked the council’s financial projections off course.

The report says: “Charging for parking in blue badge bays will discourage misuse of the blue badge scheme by removing the option to park without payment by ineligible users and ensure the sufficient availability of wider parking spaces for people with disabilities or mobility impairment.”

It adds that blue badge holders will continue to benefit from on-street parking areas, which the council says are often more accessible than car parks.