A CONTROVERSIAL move to introduce paid parking permits for some disabled drivers in Poole comes into force today.

Earlier this year Borough of Poole's (BOP) Transport Advisory Group (TAG) backed proposals to charge £25 a year, or £60 for three years, for all registered Disabled Tax Exempt Vehicle drivers.

However, drivers in receipt of council tax support will receive a permit free of charge.

Charity Disabled Motoring UK says the permit scheme is unfairly targeting disabled drivers. Spokesman Duncan Slater told the Echo: "Disabled drivers don't need this service. If you have a car that is classed as tax exempt, it is already on the DVLA database."

A reduced fee will also be offered to DTEV holders who are Borough of Poole residents.

BOP transportation member Cllr Drew Mellor said: "We recently consulted with DTEV holders on proposals to introduce a permit fee charge on a cost neutral basis.

"We received a high response rate with the majority expressing concern over affordability.

"We have listened to these concerns and have made a number of amendments to the scheme which now benefits DTEV Holders who live in Poole, demonstrating that we do act on public feedback where possible."

Borough residents not in receipt of council tax support will pay £15 for a one year permit and £40 for three years.

Council officials say the permits became necessary after the DVLA withdrew paper tax discs in 2014. Apparently, this led to some drivers of DTEV vehicles, that were not part of the Blue Badge Scheme, being wrongly issued with parking tickets by wardens no longer able to tell if they were eligible to park for free.

To overcome these difficulties a database needed to be established locally, said the council, but this and the associated enforcement action was likely to cost £60,000.

Cllr Mellor said: "We are now writing to all the registered DTEV holders advising them of their options and enclosing an application form.

"The completed forms together with payment if applicable needs to be returned by 30 June at the latest to ensure applicants continue to receive the concession."

Around 1,600 DTEV holders were registered with BOP as of April 2016.