VISITS to another one of Swindon’s much loved outdoor spaces could soon become more expensive.

Following the introduction of parking charges at Coate Water and Lydiard Park, the council is now looking to introduce a similar fee at Stanton Country Park.

The plans would see a visit of two hours or less charged at £1 with longer stays costing £2.

Annual season tickets will be available for £30.

The council believes the charges will generate an income of between £25,000 and £35,000 per year.

Between July and October, the paid-for parking scheme at Coate and Lydiard brought in between £250,000 and £300,000.

The whole-year earnings are expected to be in the region of £400,000.

The council has said that any decision to introduce charges at public parks comes against the backdrop of increasing financial challenges.

Faced with the task of saving almost £50m by 2020, officers and councillors are exploring any available options to generate revenue from assets under their control.

Consideration was given to charging for parking at a number of other sites including Barbury Castle, Shaw Forest and Moulden Hill but those options were ruled out.

The latter two sites were ruled too small for the introduction of a paid scheme to be viable while a concern about pushing visitors into adjacent communities was outlined as the determining factor for Barbury Castle.

The news that Stanton Country Park is the only additional location set to see the introduction of paid parking is unlikely to be welcomed by people concerned about future visiting figures.

Tom Charnock, Stanton Fitzwarren Parish Council chairman, has previously expressed concern that the park - different in character from Lydiard in Coate - would nonetheless be included in the charging plans.

Members of the public have until Tuesday, February 28, to complete the council’s online consultation before a final decision is made next month.

If approval is given, the scheme will be introduced from the spring.