Calls for review of parking charges at Otley Chevin
It's feared parking charges are putting people off visiting the iconic beauty spot
Fears have been raised that parking charges at an iconic beauty spot are preventing people from visiting.
Otley Chevin was among public parks where Leeds City Council introduced fees last year to raise much-needed funds.
It costs up to £4.50 per day or £10 per month to park at the site, which is popular with tourists.
Liberal Democrat opposition councillors who represent the town have called for the fees to be scrapped.
Councillor Sandy Lay said: “You only have to look in the car park now and you’ll see that it’s empty.
“It’s the middle of the school holidays and people are no longer coming up to the Chevin because they are being put off by the car parking charges.”
The council has launched a review of town centre parking charges brought in last October in Wetherby, Horsforth, Rothwell, Garforth and Guiseley.
But parks including Otley Chevin are outside the remit of the review.
Otley and Yeadon councillor Colin Campbell said: “We believe that the charges have been a disaster for the area because the number of visitors to the Chevin has dropped quite dramatically.
“This tax on fresh air, which is in effect what it is, means that people are now looking at other locations and in many cases just not going out for a walk or a stroll with the dog.”
Parking charges at parks including the Chevin were introduced in February 2025, separately to town centre fees elsewhere and other costs in place in Otley town centre since the 1990s.
A council spokesperson said discussions were being held with the Otley councillors.
They said: “Following feedback from the public and local representatives, the council has determined that the parking charges introduced in October 2025 at a number of district centre car parks will be subject to a structured review.
“The review is specifically focused on those locations where charges were introduced as part of the October 2025 scheme.
“No other off-street parking locations are currently within the scope of the review.”