Bosses at a popular recreation ground have introduced a new parking system, dividing visitors.

The day rate has been scrapped at Betteshanger Country Park in Deal and replaced with hourly fees.

Drivers will be charged £2.50 for up to one hour, £3.50 for up to two hours, £4.50 for up to three hours and £5.50 for more than three hours. These fees will apply throughout the week.

Before the changes came into force on Saturday, there was an admission charge of £5 per vehicle at weekends and £3.50 Monday to Friday.

The changes have sparked fierce debate online after an announcement was shared on the park’s Facebook page.

Kristina Elizabeth said: “It was £3.50 for all day Monday to Friday, now it will be £5.50 if we come for the morning. What a shame.

Leighnie Belcher suggested: “How about free parking if you are eating in the cafe and not using the rest of the park?

“I would not pay to park to go for food when everywhere else does not charge.”

Ashley Jane Aquilina commented: “I think £2.50 is expensive for less than an hour”, while John Hyslop branded the charges “shocking”.

But others defended park bosses for making the changes.

Phil Morgan wrote: “They need to make money to keep up with the upkeep of the place.

“Just go and enjoy the place or park outside for free and walk in. Simple.”

“It is still a much cheaper outing than most places…”

Another person also pointed out that walking into the park was free, and “It is still a much cheaper outing than most places.”

Parking will now be managed in-house rather than by Park with Ease.

A Betteshanger Country Park spokesperson says the new charges come after monitoring feedback about the previous system for two years.

They explain: “The previous flat fee did not work for many people wanting to come in for shorter periods to visit the café, bring children to the park after school or to walk the dog – the new tiered system addresses this.

“For those wanting to stay for longer, the £5.50 rate for the day remains extremely competitive when compared to local parking charges within Deal as well as against other parks or visitor attractions.”

Free parking for 20 minutes for those dropping off or picking up and all blue badge holders have been retained.

An annual pass for those who visit more regularly for £75 per year is also available, which gives parking for two cars and 10% off The Lamp Room, events and activities.

“The income from parking contributes to the cost of running the park, improving the facilities and keeping it free for the community to access and will help to make the park a place where everyone can visit whether that is for half an hour or the day,” the spokesperson adds.

“We will continue to review and respond to feedback to see if any further refinements are required in the future.”

Visitors must pay for parking before leaving the park and there are two new payment terminals near the entrance to the visitor centre.

More payment options will be added, including online and Ringo.

Controversial plans to build a surf lagoon and a 120-bed hotel at Betteshanger were approved in March.

The proposals to build an inland surf pool, known as The Seahive, alongside a luxury hotel, spa and gym were met with fierce opposition from campaigners.

Fears of development on the Betteshanger site led to Deal Town Council submitting a bid to designate it as a nature reserve.

But Dover District Council turned down the plans in January after it claimed they were unworkable.