Barnet Council is set to pay out refunds on hundreds of parking permits after a court ruled it acted unlawfully when it increased their cost.

The authority announced yesterday it will not appeal against a High Court ruling that it acted wrongly when it increased the cost of residents’ and visitors parking permits in controlled parking zones to raise revenue.

Council leader Richard Cornelius apologised to residents and confirmed the authority would not pursue an appeal.

He said: “After taking legal advice, we have decided not to appeal against the court`s judgement that the charges for CPZ were increased without going through the proper process.

"I am sorry that this was done in the way that it was. The court has ruled that the increase was wrongly implemented and so we will go back to the old charges. Any change to these will have to go through the proper process.”

Motorists who paid increased rates for their annual permits will be refunded the difference if they fill out a form online or by post.

To fill in a form online, visit www.barnet.gov.uk or email the council via CPZParkingRefunds@barnet.gov.uk.

Postal requests can me made by writing to: Parking Team, CPZ Parking Refunds, London Borough of Barnet, Building 4, North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South, London N11 1NP.