Parking charges used to fund car park upgrade

Car park improvements are set to be carried out using money raised from charging drivers at a popular beauty spot in Leeds.

More parking bays, improved surfacing and better signage will be installed at Golden Acre Park by Leeds City Council.

The upgrades comes after controversial parking charges were brought in at the park and others around the city in February last year.

Charges of £4 per day at five parks were said to have raised more than £550,000 in six months, according to the local authority.

A planning application sets out plans to increase the number of parking spaces at Golden Acre Park from 105 to 122.

The green space has two separate car parks, with a planning officer report describing the Arthington Road car park as unmarked and in a poor condition.

"This results in inefficient parking patterns which can also cause obstructions," it said.

"The proposals improve the surfacing and formally lay out the parking spaces."

A public consultation was held in January 2025 on the proposal, which would provide six disabled parking bays at the park.

Electric vehicle charging points were considered for the site but deemed not to be viable, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The report said: "The scheme results in a minor increase in the number of parking spaces which include specific motorcycle and disabled provision.

"Overall, the proposals are considered to result in significant improvements in parking provision and usability for all users compared to the existing situation."

Blue badge holders are exempt from the parking charges, also introduced at Roundhay, Temple Newsam, Otley Chevin and Middleton parks.

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