‘Position has changed’ on controversial Birmingham beauty spot parking charge plan

Birmingham Council has said its position on plans to introduce divisive parking charges at three beauty spots “has changed”.

The council’s proposals to introduce new charges at Sutton Park, Sheldon Country Park and Lickey Hills Country Park previously triggered a wave of anger and concern from opposition councillors and residents.

They were put forward amid a financial crisis at the council, which saw the authority declare itself effectively bankrupt in 2023 while under Labour leadership.

Facing a black hole in its finances, the council pushed ahead with cuts to local services and considered other savings proposals including plans to bring in parking charges at the three parks.

These particular proposals proved deeply controversial; 919 respondents in an informal consultation (78.4 per cent) felt access to Lickey Hills should remain free.

Councillor Robert Alden, Conservative group leader, described the charges as “unfair, unjustified and completely out of touch with the people of Birmingham”.

Bradley Thomas, Conservative MP for Bromsgrove, also condemned the proposed charges for Lickey Hills, saying: “We’re quite literally paying the price for Birmingham City Council’s financial mismanagement.

“This comes at a time where access to green spaces and healthy lifestyles are more important than ever.”

A council report from earlier this year previously suggested that the charges could be implemented during summer 2026.

But the authority has now revealed that it has changed its position since the original parking proposals were developed.

It said that having considered the “individual circumstances” of each park, Lickey Hills is now the only site where new parking charges are being “progressed” in 2026/27.

It added that the proposed charges for Sheldon Country Park are being reviewed.

Cabinet members at the council have also been recommended to delay the implementation of charges at Sutton Park whilst the “future operational model” for the park is under review.

It is a “long-standing aspiration” of both the city council and Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council for Sutton Park to be placed in an independent trust, which could include trustees appointed by the authorities.

“The city council […] recognises the importance of working in partnership with the town council on the best delivery model for this important asset,” a new report said.

“The city and town council will therefore jointly commission an external review to set out a trust or different partnership models that could be applied to [Sutton Park].”

Councillor Richard Parkin, Tory councillor for Sutton Reddicap, said that if proposals are approved by cabinet members next week, the parking charges at the park would be delayed while the independent study is carried out over the next eight to 10 months.

Cabinet members at the council will then review the findings this time next year.

“Thank you to all the residents who voiced their opposition to the parking charges in the park and to everyone who took part in the campaign to block them,” he wrote this week.

“With the 500th royal anniversary of the town approaching in 2028, what better way to celebrate it by securing a brighter future for our Sutton Park and local green spaces for the next 500 years?”

Birmingham Council previously said that “introducing charges at [the three parks] will bring Birmingham in line with similar places around the UK to offset the cost of maintaining this destination site.”

“Income from parking will be reinvested directly into maintaining and improving the park’s facilities, […] ensuring it remains a safe, attractive and welcoming place for all visitors,” it added.

The proposals for Sutton Park will be considered at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (November 10).