The amount of revenue generated for the Planning Authority from a parking scheme has grown sevenfold in just five years, with this year’s figure already topping €3 million.

The Commuted Parking Payment Scheme levies an amount on developers who cannot offer on-site parking, and was originally designed to raise money to be used to provide public parking to cope with the additional demand.

Replying to a parliamentary question posed by MP Jason Azzopardi, Transport Minister Ian Borg said that in 2013, the scheme raised €475,000 but, by 2017, the amount had gone up to €3.4 million.

The minister noted that restaurants with outdoor tables and chairs did not have to pay into the scheme, unless they took up existing parking spaces. Since April 2017, a planning gain would have to be paid according to the number of spaces taken up.

The CPPS fees were raised in June 2018, when a three-tier rate system was  introduced whereby a one car space not provided for on-site would cost the developer €2,500.

From the third to the ninth car space not provided for on site, the developer must contribute €6,000 per car space. From the tenth car space upwards, a €10,000 contribution per car space is imposed.