Ashby Civic Society has described North West Leicestershire District Council's car parking charging plans as a 'late April Fool'.

The council launched a public survey earlier this month as the first stage of its car parking review programme.

Among the suggested changes in and around Ashby are:

• Charges increased in Ashby to be in line with similar charges in neighbouring district and borough councils
• Two hours' free parking in all council car parks across the district - except Ashby - with charges applied after this
• North Street and South Street car parks in Ashby changed to become short-stay
• A new long-stay car park at Money Hill in Ashby, including an electric vehicle charging hub.

But the Civic Society has voiced its concerns about the proposals where they would affect the town - claiming they are 'anti-Ashby'.

Ken Ward, chairman of Ashby Civic Society, said: "The recent questionnaire put out for comments by North West Leicestershire District Council, regarding their car parking charging proposals, is surely a late April Fool?

"To state that they wish to increase the charges only in Ashby is rather peculiar.

"There is no explanation for such an increase, and then to say they wish to keep the free two hours in only Coalville rubs further salt in the wound."

Mr Ward also addresses the subject of the planned 150-space car park being built as part of the new Money Hill housing development.

A footpath is scheduled to link this with the town centre, but this has run into difficulties as it would run across the property of an already established business.

Mr Ward added: "The proposal for a new, as yet unfinished, car park to be designated as a long-stay car park in Ashby, with increased daily charges is also not a popular move.

"Access to this new car park on the Money Hill estate is still not completed and, for legal and safe access arrangements, may not be safely open for a considerable time.

"All in all, the new proposals seem anti-Ashby. Can the District Council put up a spokesman to explain this strange situation and explain why they think it's a good idea to have such anomalies across our District?"

Chris Smith, the leader of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, has also voiced opposition to the scheme.

Posting on social media over the weekend, Cllr Smith said the council would be opposing the proposals.

North West Leicestershire District Council has been approached for comment.