PLANS to replace permit- holder parking with pay and display in three city centre streets are likely to win approval from councillors, despite opposition from some residents.

Durham County Council's highways committee will tomorrow be recommended to set aside the objections and proceed with changes in parking proposed for Ellis Leazes, Renny Street and Mitchell Street, in Durham.

For the past few years, the streets have been included in the city centre parking scheme that has seen drivers having to pay for on-street parking and residents in some areas needing permits.

But the council's acting director of environment, David Miller, says in a report to the committee that drivers without permits are using Mitchell Street because they wrongly assume it, like neighbouring Atherton Street and New Street, has no restrictions.

Pay and display bays were provided at the head of Renny Street and Ellis Leazes for short-stay visitors, but drivers, finding them full, have parked in the permit-only stretches of the streets - and have been given £30 tickets for breaching the restrictions.

Mr Miller says more penalty tickets are issued in these streets than in other similar streets and that there are more appeals against tickets.

The proposals to bring in pay and display have attracted 26 formal objections from residents.

The concerns from three residents of Mitchell Street include fears that residents will not be able to find places to park, the low charge and the gradient of the street being unsuitable for parking.

Mr Miller says in response that a survey concluded there was enough space for residents and that Mitchell Street, and others close to the city centre, would be attractive for short-stay parking.

Eight objectors from Renny Street also raised concerns about the loss of space for residents and the fact that consultation was during university holidays, when many student residents were away.

Mr Miller says residents will be able to use neighbouring streets "in the unlikely event'' that they cannot find a space.

He adds that the city's park and ride scheme should deter long-stay visitor parking and that consultation was done "when students were able to, and have, objected to the proposals''.