A WINCHESTER estate agents has been warned by the city council after it tried to secure residents-only parking permits for clients not entitled to them.

Fox and Sons wrote to residents in the Fulflood area asking if anyone had any spare permits that could be sold to new residents.

A black market has arisen in recent years as new homes built in the city centre do not have a right to the sought-after permits that allow on-street parking near homes.

A lettings manager at Fox and Sons, based on the High Street, wrote to householders in Cranworth Road and Brassey Road asking if anyone would be willing to sell an unwanted permit.

The company has since admitted it was a one-off that will not be repeated.

The city council heard about the initiative and has taken action to stop it.

A city council spokesman said a formal legal letter had been sent to the company followed by an officer visit.

He said Fox and Sons has stopped the initiative and he does not believe other local agents are doing anything similar.

In a statement the council said: “Any resident who sells a permit or does not use it in accordance with the parking order can have their permit entitlement cancelled.

“Anyone who knowingly makes a false statement for the purposes of obtaining a Residents’ Parking Permit is liable to a fine of up to £1,000 under section 115(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.  Anyone conspiring to assist them will also be liable.

“The council investigates all allegations of abuse of parking permits.  This involves regular observation visits to check patterns of parking.

“If abuse is suspected the council will write to the registered holder of the permit asking for an explanation.  If the permit is being used improperly the council can and will withdraw it.”

In a statement, Fox and Sons said: “Acting for one prospective tenant, we made enquiries to homeowners about the possibility of using an unused parking permit on either Cranworth Road and Brassey Road.

“We would like to apologise for any upset caused and make clear that this was not a deliberate attempt to override the council’s policy on parking in the area or engage in the buying and selling on of multiple permits, simply a request in response to the need of one individual looking to move into the area.

“As soon as we were aware of our mistake all attempts to speak to local residents and potentially purchase a permit for parking for our tenant were immediately stopped.”