PLANS to implement parking charges at Otley Chevin and Golden Acre Park have been branded a “slap in the face” for democracy.

Leeds City Council this week released the results of a consultation in which 84 per cent of respondents opposed the charges at Otley Chevin and 80 per cent at the Bramhope park.

But the local authority today said there is no other option and they have “exhausted all alternatives”.

Otley councillors Colin Campbell, Ryk Downes and Sandy Lay have said this is a "slap in the face for the democratic process".

Cllr Campbell said: “We regard access to public open spaces as vital for people's wellbeing. It is clear that hundreds of residents use the Chevin to get out in the fresh air and take exercise. Introducing charges particularly for those who use the area daily will create an unreasonable financial burden and mean that they no longer have access to this beautiful section of Wharfedale."

Cllr Downes added: “We did not support the principle of charging when it was first proposed and we assumed that if there was to be a meaningful public consultation then Leeds would abide by the result. This is not so. 84% of those questioned said charges should not be introduced but Leeds have ignored this overwhelming majority and are to introduce them anyway. It shows the consultation was a sham.”

And Cllr Lay said: "We are concerned that revenue from the Chevin will end up being spent in other areas of Leeds. This is a bad proposal which we will fight."

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “Like councils across the country, we are facing budget cuts and cost increases as demand for our services grows. This impacts all areas of the council and our parks and countryside service no longer has the funding to maintain the infrastructure across its 4,000 hectares of green space to the high standard we want for our residents.

“We’re proud of our parks but many need substantial investment to enable residents safely to enjoy these open spaces in the long term. Following the consultation on car parking we have reviewed our options and have exhausted all alternatives to fund improvements in our parks, given the scale of challenge across the council.”

The council’s report revealed that 4,493 people completed the survey for Golden Acre Park and 2,964 for Otley Chevin Forest Park.

The report says: “It is clear from the consultation analysis that there is opposition in principle with 80% disagreeing with the proposal at Golden Acre and 84% at Otley Chevin.”

The chair of Otley Town Council, Cllr Richard Hughes said: "This is a very disappointing decision. The Chevin is an important part of Otley's heritage and residents have enjoyed access since the Horton-Fawkes family and the old Urban District Council came together to create a park and woodland for all to enjoy. The Town Council has written to Leeds asking them to think again on this matter."

Meanwhile Cllr Barry Anderson and Cllr Caroline Anderson who represent the Adel & Wharfedale ward said that the views of local people had been “summarily dismissed”.

Cllr Anderson said he was “absolutely disgusted” and added: "The report confirms that overwhelmingly people said ‘no’ to these proposals, for a variety of reasons.

“I have asked the Chief Officers and the Chief Executive of the Council for an urgent briefing. They didn’t have the decency or courtesy to communicate with us before this report was issued. The report itself is unprofessional and unfinished. The Council makes reference to introducing measures to prevent parking on the surrounding roads only once the charges have been brought in. The conclusions are illogical based on the evidence put forward in their own report.”

Cllr Caroline Anderson said: “I should not be surprised with this, but I am because I thought the Council actually meant they were doing a consultation. What was the point of it, when it is just being ignored?

“Any future consultations will meaningless. They are just paying lip service and taking people for fools. We are not cash cows waiting to get the Council out of their financial difficulties which have come about due to various decisions they have made over many years.”

A Leeds City Council spokesperson added: “Income from car parking charges will help ensure we can continue to maintain the quality of our parks and greenspaces for the people who use them. We want residents to continue to enjoy the benefits of access to nature and green spaces and are committed to keeping costs affordable, with annual permits on sale for regular visitors. Parking for blue badge holders will remain free.”

The report says that the introduction of “modest” parking charges will help to fund surface improvements, bay marking, signage, and ongoing maintenance of the car parks.