The parking permit zone

A section of our street has been changed from 2 hour parking to "permit parking only".   It's at the end closest to the shops, and, yes, shoppers do (did) park there.     But what's wrong with that?  Of the dozen or so houses fronting the street in this section, almost all have driveways and off-street parking.    Have we reached the point where the rules can be changed to accommodate people who just don't like to have cars parked outside their houses?

I wonder about the motives of the Council.  It's obviously much easier to fine someone for parking in a permit zone than having to come back 2 hours later to check whether they've over-stayed the limit.  The Council seems to have form in this regard.

Most houses in the affected area have driveways