Thousands of Islington residents­ have voted for pricier­ parking permits of up to £200 for gas-guzzling cars.

In the first council referendum of its kind in Britain, 127,544 people were balloted on whether “the cost of a resident’s parking permit should depend on how much the car pollutes”. Nearly a third of those in the 80,000 households­ polled took part.

Of the 36,792 votes made­, 56.1 per cent (20,266) of residents­ agreed owners of cars with big engines­ should pay higher parking charges.

Currently, residents pay between £75 to £95 annually for parking in the borough.

Now, charges for permits will relate to vehicles’ emissions­ of carbon dioxide, with a third of residents set to face higher parking charges, and two thirds will pay less.

Drivers of low-emission cars, such as the Toyota Prius, will have to pay £35, while more polluting vehicles, such as the Audi Station Wagon, will face higher charges of £200.

James Kempton, leader of the Liberal Democrat-run council, said: “There’s a majority­ in favour, but a lot of people are unsure whether it’s up to Islington to deal with climate change, and not India and China. But it’s down to us to play our part.

“We’ve seen over the last couple of days that these freak weather events are happening­ more and more often. That’s a warning sign.”

Resident Allister Manson, 36, said: “A referendum for small parts of the population is a good idea and promotes local democracy. And the idea that highly polluting vehicles­ have to contribute more to taxes seems fair.”

Clare Bolton, 26, said: “At a time when everyone is thinking about their carbon footprint it is important that people contributing to the borough’s emissions should be penalised accordingly.”

The council’s executive will formally consider the results on 5 July before implementing­ the policy borough-wide.

What itmeans for the rest of London

Boroughs across the capital will take confidence from ­Islington’s referendum win over linking the cost of parking permits to pollution, ­experts said today.

The Local Government Association said the vote would encourage councillors in areas such as Kensington and Chelsea, Southwark, and Barking and Dagenham to move forward with plans to introduce the levy on parking charges for gas-guzzling cars.

The association said: “Councils across the capital and the country will study these ­results very closely.”

Other boroughs that favour such a levy are Waltham Forest, Lambeth, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Haringey.

London Councils, which represents the 33 boroughs, said: “We don’t think other boroughs will feel obliged to do the same, though they may take confidence from the success it has had.”

Richmond already charges a levy for big polluters.