THE last free car park in Cowley could be given the go-ahead to start charging shoppers.

The 468 spaces at Templars Retail Park – home to stores including B&Q and Matalan – are currently free for visitors staying up to two hours.

The decision to introduce charges rests with park owner Resolution Properties, but it needs Oxford City Council’s permission for barriers and payment machines.

Shoppers in nearby Barns Road, Knights and Castle car parks pay 70p for up to two hours and the Templars charges are expected to be similar.

Resolution was last night unavailable for comment.

A council report recommends Resolution should be given the go-ahead, but businesses and councillors have hit out.

Bryan Keen, a city councillor for Cowley, said: “A lot of people will just start parking on the streets and won’t pay.”

He said: “I am concerned that people just aren’t going to pay to get a packet of screws from B&Q.

“It is controversial because these kinds of car parks do not charge anywhere else.

“It’s like paying to park in a supermarket car park – you just don’t and that’s a matter of fact.”

TK Maxx, which has a store in the 142,000 sq ft park, told the council it disagreed with charging. It said the move ‘will lead to a build-up at the exit of the retail park and queuing on Between Towns Road’.

Brantano also raised concerns.

Oxfordshire County Council, which is responsible for roads, said it was concerned about queuing within the car park.

Aaron Bayliss, manager of the nearby Templars Square Shopping Centre, said: “It’s a bold move for a retail park to take, as I’m not aware of any others that charge for their footfall.

“Town centres, multi-storeys and shopping centres yes, but retail parks, no.”

Mr Bayliss said some people parked there without using the stores, and added: “Their car park has undoubtedly been taken advantage of and they should be able to protect their genuine customers. I think people will pay it. The parking around here is strictly enforced by the council.

“If the price is reasonable people will pay, or else they could face strict fines.”

The plans will be discussed at the council’s Cowley area committee meeting tonight in John Bunyan Baptist Church, Crowell Road at 6.30pm.

rpope@oxfordmail.co.uk