Controversial plans to increase parking charges for higher polluting vehicles have been pushed through by Haringey Council, despite massive opposition.

From July 1, parking permit charges in Haringey will be based on carbon dioxide emissions, with vehicles such as 4x4s costing four times more than environmentally friendly models.

The council's executive committee agreed on Tuesday to go ahead with the plans, which will see a sliding scale of charges based on carbon emission levels for residents living within a controlled parking zone (CPZ).

A permit for a first car will range from £15 to £90, with higher capacity engines being charged higher prices.

Second and subsequent cars will be charged at a higher rate, with residents paying up to 66 per cent more for their second permit. The current rate for a parking permit is £25.

Haringey is the second authority in the country to implement the charges.

The council has said the scheme will be an incentive for people to use more fuel-efficient cars and encourage use of public transport. But it has been criticised as a money-making exercise that will not change people's habits.

During the consultation period, which ended on Friday. There were 540 responses, of which eight per cent were in favour, three per cent were neutral, and 89 per cent objected to the proposals.

There were also more than 600 signatures collected in three petitions against the plans.

Lydia Rivlin, of Muswell Avenue, Muswell Hill, co-ordinated a petition in Tottenham Hale. She said: "I can't stand to see injustice.There was no debate. Even if councillors disagree they stick their hands up, even if they know what's going on is wrong."

However, Lorna Reith, executive member for community involvement, dismissed some of the concerns raised at the meeting. "I don't think it's unreasonable," she said.

Martin Newton, Liberal Democrat spokesman for transport, said: "The Labour council has gone through consultation but it has not listened to residents. There are real problems with the Haringey scheme and the charging bands will not reduce CO2 emissions. Residents who live in a CPZ will just pay more."

Councillor Brian Haley, executive member for conservation and the environment, was not at Tuesday's meeting despite leading the policy.

He said: "Our job has been to weigh up our responsibility to the environment - particularly our pledge to work with the Government on the UK climate change agenda - against some strongly expressed views from residents and community groups.

"We are firm in our belief that grading parking charges according to carbon emissions is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal in the fight against climate change. We are confident the new charges will make residents think twice before buying high emission vehicles."