A PLAN to introduce parking charges at a popular city park has been further delayed after it was agreed the decision should be looked at again.

But there was heated debate on whether to reconsider as Councillor Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member for communities who made the decision to introduce charges at Worcester Woods Country Park, defended it from heavy criticism. The decision to charge was delayed in November after Councillor Richard Udall ‘called-in’ the decision - meaning the council could not start charging until the plans had been fully scrutinised.

An overview and scrutiny performance board meeting dedicated entirely to the issue lasted three hours at County Hall on Monday, including 50 minutes in which Cllr Hodgson was grilled about her decision. A number of public speakers, including groups who use the site, spoke passionately against charging, raising issues that it would reduce the number of park users and damage their health, hit low income families, and push people to park in nearby roads. Nett Ward, owner of Orchard Cafe at the site, said she believed charges would reduce their revenue while Ben Smith, cub scout leader, said they would be "strangled by the charges", adding it would be "unworkable". Carla Williams from British Military fitness, said their members would not be able to afford to pay and Richard Ralphs, Worcester Parkrun event director, said a survey of 700 park runners had found 25 per cent would no longer attend, with 70 per cent saying they would go less.

But Cllr Hodgson defended the plan explaining charges were being introduced due to the financial situation, saying: "We are not looking to charge an entry, we are looking to charge to use the car park."

In heated exchanges the board’s chairman, Councillor Chris Bloore challenged Cllr Hodgson saying the report was not "fit for purpose" as it lacked park usage data, and the authority had now lost the support of park users. In response, Cllr Hodgson stressed proposed charges - ranging from £1 for an hour to £7 for over four hours - were just a "starter for 10", adding: "I stand by my decision."

Councillor Fran Oborski said she was tired of the authority making uninformed decisions before consultations, while Councillor Kit Taylor said although not against charging, "the lack of data is driving me mad". A vote was taken with councillors unanimously voting to set up a task group to look again at the decision. The group is to produce a report within four weeks, proposing changes or recommending to reconsider the original decision entirely.