Parking charges at Great Notley Country Park could be increased by up to 25 per cent.

The existing summer tariff at the park, which attracts thousands of visitors a year, is already in excess of the county’s other country parks, with cars charged a daily rate of £3, compared with £2.20 all year round at five of the other parks and £2 at another.P

In the winter, the current tariff is £2.

But under Essex County Council (ECC) proposals, tariffs could rise by 25 per cent in the winter to £2.50 and by 17 per cent to £3.50 in the summer.

If approved, the charges would come into force in April.