PLANS to charge for car parking at Upton Country Park are being fleshed out by Borough of Poole.

A report outlining the details for the proposal comes before the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee today.

Members are being asked to recommend to Cabinet a public consultation on the introduction of pay and display charges of between 50p and £3 in the winter and 80p and £4 in the summer, as well seasonal and annual parking passes.

According to the report, while Upton Country Park is "increasingly popular" it still "requires a significant subsidy" amounting to £443k this financial year.

It adds "in the context of an increasingly challenging financial situation the council aims to reduce or eliminate the cost of providing Upton Country Park."

The council's intention would be to make a 'one-off' investment up to £500k to fund improvements to visitor and car parking facilities.

The recommended parking charges could help to cut the financial subsidy for the site in half to £204k by 2019/20.

The report, by Kevin McErlane, head of culture and community learning, adds: "The service is also implementing and exploring other income generating and cost saving measures to reduce the subsidy further."

The cash-strapped council has come under fire for its plans to introduce pay and display charges across five parks in the Borough - Poole Park, Hamworthy Park, Upton Country Park, Whitecliff and Baiter skatepark - in a bid to generate income.

More than 1,500 signed a petition against the proposal in just 48 hours last year.

Should it get the green light the consultation on Upton Country Park will take place in February and March.