A FRIENDS’ group has criticised Bradford Council for using car parks as cash cows after it was decided to introduce parking charges at a beauty spot.

Bradford Council’s executive committee rubber-stamped the new charges at Harden’s St Ives Estate in November after agreeing they were to be introduced despite a petition of more than 5,500 signatures against it.

Initially it had been thought there had been a delay on the decision, but the council confirmed it had agreed to go ahead with the plans.

The council has refuted claims of inadequate consultation, stating that “extensive dedicated public consultation” had taken place.

Pam Laking, chairman of both Harden Parish Council and the Friends of St Ives group, said everyone involved with St Ives was dismayed.

She said: “The council is going to milk St Ives and damage the number of visitors to the 500-acre estate.

“There are lots of people who will not be able to afford to pay the charges, or not be able to come as often.

“There are also some small businesses there who rely on visitors, such as a wonderful cafe that allows dogs inside.

“It is a beautiful area that is a lifeline to a lot of elderly people. There is a fishing lake there too which the anglers pay a fee to fish in. Does this mean they too will have to pay car park charges?

“And what about the visitors to the golf course; will they have to pay?

“The area is used a lot too by schoolchildren, some of whom have disabilities. It may mean that schools can visit less often.

“The Friends group was set up 14 years ago and we have done such a lot of great work. We have around 150 members and everyone is passionate about the area.

“What the council actually does there is minimal, just a bit of maintenance work, yet it wants to start charging people to visit so it can draw some revenue. The charges are to be £1 for up to two hours, £2 for up to four hours and £3 for over four hours. It may not seem a lot, but for those people who come often it adds up.”

Mrs Laking has also complained there had been no consultation on the proposals.

A council spokesman said: “The proposals to introduce car parking charges at St Ives Estate were part of Bradford Council’s budget proposals for 2015-2016. All the budget proposals were subject to extensive dedicated public consultation including the council’s website, copies in public libraries, a freepost address to write to the council, public meetings, social media and press releases to local media over a period of 12 weeks.”