VISITORS to Yorkshire Water's Thruscross Reservoir are being alerted to car parking charges from 'later this year', even though the water company has yet to get planning permission.

The sign, in the reservoir car park, stating parking will cost £1 for an hour and up to £5 for a day, is also in place even before Harrogate Borough Council, which determines planning proposals in the area, has verified the application, which is still yet to appear on the council's website.

The sign states: "Later this year, car parking at this site will cost visitors £1 for 1 hour, £2 for 2 hours, £3 for 3 hours, or £5 per day. An annual pass will also be available for £30."

The sign explains that the 'small charges' 'will support' the continued upkeep of the routes around the reservoir, the car park and Yorkshire Water's nature conservation and countryside management.

In a statement, Yorkshire Water said temporary signs had been put up at its car parks - it is also proposing charges at Fewston and Swinsty - to make sure visitors were aware of charges that 'may' come into force, and added charges were subject to planning permission.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: “We added temporary signage to our car parks to ensure all visitors were aware of charges that may come into force later this year.

"The implementation of these charges is subject to planning permission and will be a trial if they are approved. Local councils will add detailed planning notices in the car parks once the planning applications have been validated and added to local authority portals.”

The company announced in June that it was considering charging at four of its reservoirs, also including Langsett in South Yorkshire.

It said planning permission would be sought for the necessary parking meters and, if approved, would be installed for a trial period later this year.

It said charges would contribute towards the first ever in-house Yorkshire Water ranger team, including nine area rangers to ensure visitors had a 'positive experience on site, complete maintenance and tackle anti-social behaviour which poses a threat to people, wildlife and the environment'.

It also said it was collaborating with local authorities and local stakeholders to ensure the introduction of charging caused minimal disruption and that it would be working hard to ensure everyone was aware of the charges ahead of time.

But, some say charging at the sites will mean people parking on narrow roads, causing a nuisance to residents.