CAMPAIGNERS fear planned parking charges at a beauty spot could destroy years of work improving the site.

Guardians of the popular St Ives estate at Harden say the fees would deter visitors.

And they claim the pay-and-display machines would be an eyesore.

Pam Laking, chairman of the Friends of St Ives, said: “We have spoken to many members of the public about this and everybody is strongly against it.

“A lot of people visit every day to enjoy the wonderful environment and they shouldn’t have to pay for the privilege.

“We appreciate that the council is desperate to raise money, but we don’t believe this is the right way of addressing that.

“Our feeling is that any parking charge is completely wrong.

“The Friends have worked hard – with the council – to create countryside in an urban setting and encourage families and everyone else to enjoy what we offer, but having to pay to park every time they visit is going to put people off.”

Mrs Laking said the proposed scheme would also have an environmental impact and be difficult to police.

“There would need to be not only ticket machines but signage and it would look awful,” she said.

“It’s a beautiful, natural place – we don’t want it looking like ‘parking meter city’.

“And how is it going to be policed? Someone from the council would have to come up every night to empty the machines, otherwise they’ll just be targeted by thieves.

“I can’t see how it will be cost effective.”

There are also fears that charges would have a knock-on effect on Harden village.

“Some people may choose to park in the village and walk,” said Mrs Laking, who is also chairman of Harden Parish Council.

“But there is already very limited parking in the village and problems would simply be exacerbated.”

She said the parking charge proposal was agreed at the Bradford Council budget meeting earlier this year, but that no figure had been decided on and that consultation with all interested parties had been promised.

A Bradford Council spokesman said consultation letters were due to be sent out at this month.

“There have been significant reductions to the council’s budget – Government funding for Bradford Council services has been cut by £167.5 million since 2010, with an estimated reduction of funding of £100 million by 2020,” he said.

“This means some difficult decisions have to be made on how to reduce costs while increasing income.

“Introducing parking charges at St Ives is something we have to consider as a possible measure to help with this.”