PARKING charges will be imposed at five parks after an attempt to have the decision reconsidered failed.

Leeds City Council will charge motorists at five parks in a move designed to raise funds for the cash-strapped authority.

Charges will be brought in at Golden Acre, Middleton, and Roundhay parks, along with Temple Newsam and Otley Chevin.

On Wednesday, the decision was discussed by the council’s Environment, Housing and Communities scrutiny board following a formal request by opposition councillors.

Under a process called “call-in”, scrutiny boards can recommend that a significant decision is reconsidered, or decide it can go ahead.

Concerns over parking charges included motorists using side streets to avoid paying, causing traffic problems for people living nearby.

Wetherby Conservative councillor Norma Harrington said: “In places like the Chevin, it’s a bad area to try and park and drive to, so we are very concerned about that.”

There were also fears that people would lose out on the health benefits of parks if they could not afford the new fees.

Caroline Anderson, Conservative member for Adel and Wharfedale, said: “I think this decision is a complete false economy and it hasn’t been thought through.”

Dean Hardy, who spoke on behalf of Temple Newsam Golf Club, said parking charges would push fees closer to the cost of paying for a private club.

He said: “You’re creating an environment where you’re discouraging people from using the council facility.”

Leeds City Council must save £63.9m to balance its budget this financial year.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Green Spaces, said the financial challenge was unprecedented.

He said: “I can assure board members the decision to implement modest parking charges is not a decision that has been taken lightly.”

The new charges are £1 for up to two hours, £2.50 for half a day and £4 for a full day. Monthly and annual season tickets will be available and parking will be free for blue-badge holders.

James Rogers, the council’s director of Communities, Housing and Environment, said: “We very much appreciate that introducing any new charges is not going to be popular.

“The charges we are proposing to introduce are modest.”

In a majority vote, councillors agreed to release the parking charges decision for implementation.