The decision to halt a controversial policy to hike some car parking charges by almost 40% has been declared a “victory for common sense”.

Traders feared increases in car parking fees in Sandwich and Deal would “kill” local businesses, with long-stay parking proposed to jump from £10.80 to £15 for five to 10 hours.

But, despite the changes being voted through by Dover District Council’s (DDC) cabinet last month, the authority’s overview and scrutiny (O&S) committee called the decision in, requesting further examination of the policy.

Members of the committee argued there was not enough consultation, data gathering or surveys – and as such, cabinet agreed on Monday to follow the recommendation and review the strategy before bringing it back to one of its future meetings.

Cllr Dan Friend (Con), a member of O&S and a Sandwich ward councillor, said of the u-turn: “It’s a real victory for common sense.

“These 40% increases would have been really damaging to our businesses, our hospitality sector and our overnight visitors.

“We need to be looking after them while they're under increased pressure from the government with national insurance raises and council tax and business rate rises.

“It would have caused untold damage to our economic activity and hospitality business is already under enough pressure.

“Our retail businesses are barely scraping by as it is and it would have meant real job losses and damaging impacts to our community cohesion.”

Carole George, of the civic group Sandwich Town Team, told KentOnline: “We are all relieved and delighted that common sense has prevailed.

“However, this is just a stay of execution and there may still be a battle to fight.”

Cllr Martin Bates, also on O&S, said: “The cabinet has actually come to what I think to be a very sensible decision.

“Hopefully there will be a good degree of consultation with all the parishes and towns so that an amicable decision can be made on parking within the district for the future.”

The changes also recommended maximum stays being cut from 10 hours to three in Sandwich’s Guildhall car park, and Deal’s Beach Street and Union Road sites.

In Deal, the upper time limit in South Street and Stanhope Road was to drop from four hours to three, while at Deal Town Hall it was to increase from two hours to three.

The first hour of parking at short-stay sites was to remain at £1.80, but increase to £2 per hour between two and four hours.

Other car parks affected include The Quay and Gazen Salts in Sandwich, and Middle Street, Tides Leisure Centre and West Street in Deal.

Members of O&S resolved: “We submit this formal request to call in the cabinet decision to adopt and implement the Dover District Parking Strategy, including all associated increases in parking charges and operational changes.”

Members argued there was insufficient consultation with only 1,096 responses received from the public consultation, a too small proportion of the district’s population.

Secondly, O&S said, surveys were carried out over just two days, a Friday and Saturday, which was unrepresentative of typical parking patterns across a full week.

Also, they said, the near 40% rise would have an “unacceptable financial impact”.

At Monday’s cabinet meeting, a motion was carried recommending the withdrawal of the decision to adopt the strategy pending further review and consultation.

The plans, originally voted through by the cabinet on May 12, caused outrage among people in Sandwich and Deal where the charges were due to be implemented later this summer.

Joe Quinn, who runs T R & C Carpenter ironmongers in Sandwich, previously said of the proposal: “It’s ridiculous. With such a small town that’s already struggling to get trade or footfall, it’s choking us. I don’t really see any need for it.

“It’s already a nightmare to park here. It’s already expensive, and to put the prices up even more is just going to deter people.”

No similar increases were planned for Dover. This was due to findings from a comprehensive review of parking demand across the district, DDC said.

It was hoped the increased fees and reduced time limits would boost turnover in car parks, enabling more people to visit the two towns when parking demand is high.

A spokesman for the council said this week: “Cabinet didn’t comment on the reasons for call in.

“It has three options when it comes to O&S recommendations – to approve, refuse or acknowledge them.

“In this case, they acknowledged the recommendation from O&S but the details of what they said will be considered when the strategy is reviewed.

“The whole strategy is on hold (i none of it will be implemented) until the review has taken place.”