A disabled person's parking bay is an allocated parking space indicated by a 'box' marked out with white lines with an associated sign.
The purpose of the parking bay is to help people whose mobility impairment mean they cannot walk any significant distance and therefore need help in parking close to their home, or those who may require constant supervision around traffic due to a cognitive impairment or additional learning needs.
Following the public consultation and the Council's decision in October 2025, the new application process for the Disabled Persons Parking Bay Scheme will reopen in March 2026.
You will be able to apply online here, or have assistance with your application at our One4All Centres in March 2026. Specific date to be confirmed shortly.
Disabled Person's Parking Bay Eligibility
To be eligible for a parking bay, you must meet all the following criteria:
- Hold a valid permanent Blue Badge.
- Receive one of the the following benefits:
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
- Attendance Allowance
- Have a car registered at your address, with the registered owner living there.
- Not have access to off-road parking.
- Live on a road where there are no traffic prohibitions and it is safe to install a bay.
If you are still unsure of your eligibility, please visit our FAQs page.
Application Process
Applications will be accepted:
- Online via the Council’s website (application link available here in March 2026).
- In person at a One4All Centre (assistance available from March 2026).
Telephone applications are not accepted due to the need for evidence submission.
To submit your application successfully, you must supply:
- Proof of your Blue Badge.
- Proof of qualifying benefits.
- Proof of car registration at your address (e.g. logbook).
- Medical evidence from a relevant health professional (Consultant, Specialist Nurse, or Physiotherapist - NOT a GP) detailing your mobility and parking difficulties. Our suggested template is available to download below. Please note that any costs associated with gathering required documents must be paid by the applicant and are not reimbursed by the Council.
- Confirmation that you do not have access to off-road parking.
- Any other documents requested to confirm eligibility.
Once the application window is open, the online form will be available via this webpage. There is no charge for applying to this scheme.
What happens next?
Once your application and supporting documents are received, the Council will review your information and may contact you if further details are needed. If your application meets the eligibility criteria, a desktop assessment will be conducted to determine if it is feasible to install a bay at your location. In addition, you will be visited by an Occupational Therapy Assistant who will complete an assessment of your situation.
You will be kept informed about the progress at various stages of the application process, however some stages will take longer to complete than others so there will be periods of time when you may not hear anything. You will be notified in writing whether you were successful in receiving a bay or not.
What if my application is unsuccessful?
You will be informed in writing of the reasons for your application being unsuccessful. Feedback is provided at various stages of the process; however, some stages will take longer to complete than others so there will be periods of time when you may not hear anything. Please note that there is currently no right to appeal.
Further information can be found in our FAQ's