A COUNCIL has published a legal notice which will allow it to charge for parking at a beauty spot popular with visitors from both the Leeds and Bradford districts. The new charges at Otley Chevin have proved highly-controversial, with critics arguing people are being charged £1 for two hours of fresh air at what should be a “free asset.” But the plan has taken a step forward, with Leeds City Council saying charges will apply to the following car parks: Yorkgate car park; Surprise View car park; East Chevin Quarry car park; Upper and Lower Shaw Field car parks.
Charges will apply on all days between 8am and 8pm and will be: £1 up to two hours; £2.50 for up to four hours; £4 for up to 12 hours; season tickets £10 per calendar month or £80 per annum; no charge for Disabled Persons Badge Holders. A wooden cross is erected at Otley Chevin each year ahead of Easter (Image: Patricia Deeks Holliday: T&A Camera Club) Otley and Yeadon councillors Colin Campbell, Ryk Downes and Sandy Lay had objected to the plan to charge for parking and say they regret this latest news.
"The Chevin was in part given to the local community and in part purchased by the Old Urban District Council," said Cllr Campbell. "Those former councillors regarded it as a free asset for everyone to enjoy and the idea of, in effect, charging people a £1 for two hours of fresh air would have been totally alien to them." An atmospheric view of Otley Chevin (Image: John Shackleton: T&A Camera Club) "Leeds have.