Frustrated residents are calling on Waltham Forest Council to solve the parking "mayhem" at a new development, amid claims more permits have been issued than there are spaces available. 

People living in the Highams Green estate behind the Tesco superstore in Highams Park say they have paid for an annual permit, but are not being able to make use of them.

Residents have calculated there are 60 spaces for 250-plus homes.

When asked by the Guardian, the council refused to say if the permit scheme is over-subscribed and how many permits have been allocated, or offer a potential solution. 

Deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, Cllr Clyde Loakes, said: "Our permit pricing strategy promotes the use of sustainable forms of transport and obviously this development is well served by a number of bus routes and is close to a station frequented by commuters. 

"Needless to say, we have to be as fair as possible when residents apply for permits regardless and while it can be difficult to meet the demand where there are a limited number of spaces, we have found the best way to control the number of permits issued is by price. 

"While we have a very low and generous cost of a first permit, starting at a mere £12.50, we have made additional permits per household far more expensive; with a third permit costing up to £280."

Alex Jones, 28, of Jacks Farm, said the developer is to blame.

"It's got increasingly worse as they've opened up news areas of the development. 

"By the time I get home from work, I have to park in Hickman Avenue and I understand nowhere is without their problems, but it’s not safe leaving your car there," he added. 

Tesco was granted permission to build the superstore in 2009 if it made a financial contribution to the local community and provided some affordable housing.  

Responding to the council’s statement, resident Kannan Venkat, 34, said: "This is the exact same reply we've been getting for the past year.

For more on this story, see this week’s Guardian – out Thursday.