Car park charges are set to nearly double at a country park after just seven people responded to a public consultation.

The price of a three hour stay at Great Notley Country Park will rise from the flat rate of £3.50 to £5 in June.

Currently, visitors pay the flat rate between April and October, which falls to £2.50 for the rest of the year.

The tarrif will make it cheaper for those visiting for a shorter period of time, costing £1 for 30 minutes and £2 for an hour.

But it will cost £3 for just two hours, £4 for up to three hours and £5 for longer.

The change is expected to bring in £15,000 in revenue.

A report to the council said just seven people had responded to a six-week consultation and because of the low amount of feedback it would go ahead with the changes.

The report said: “The introduction of a banded charging system takes into account and provides for, those visitors who can only stay for very short periods of time, offering a half hour charge and hourly rates.

“Short stay visitors could in effect be paying less than half of the fee they are currently charged.”

The changes are expected to be agreed at an Essex County Council meeting on Wednesday.