Parking machines have arrived at the Cosmeston Lakes car park but are currently not in use.

They will be used to implement new parking charges imposed by the Vale of Glamorgan Council to "generate an income stream" for the park's maintenance.

Visitors will be charged £1 for two hours, £2 for four hours and £4 for the day.

The council has reassured residents that charges will not begin until "resident parking displacement controls" are introduced.

This entails restricting parking on neighbouring roads to ensure visitors do not flock to them to avoid the charges. Residents will receive parking permits.

"Nothing will happen before the residents' permits are sorted," said Vale Council Deputy Leader Lis Burnett.

She went on to say the charges are therefore "certainly not imminent" and depend on "the legal process for the traffic orders and the COVID situation".

Residents on nearby streets told Nub News this afternoon they are yet to hear anything about the permits.

"I think people think the charges have already begun, because we're getting people parking here already, like they did when the parks were closed with the restrictions," a Cosmeston Drive resident said.

"I can't blame them really, but if people start parking here to avoid the charges then it's impossible for us to get past."

The man said he once arrived home to find someone had parked on his drive.

Cosmeston Park parking charges will apply between 10AM and 5PM from October to February and from 10AM to 8PM for the rest of the year.

A £30 six-month (or £50 annual) season ticket will be made available.

Cllr Peter King explains the parking charge to Nub News.

"We have to be able to sustain the country parks and they cost us a lot of money to operate," he said.

"There's no point beating around the bush, we're doing it to generate an income stream for their maintenance.

"We are hoping to offer a season ticket for the incredibly modest charge of £30 for six months available for residents," he added.

"The idea is that the genuine visitors - those from Cardiff and Ponty and everywhere - are getting it for free and yet the rate payers have been subsidising their visits."

The charges come despite receiving 155 objections during last year's consultation.

Plaid Cymru Community Councillor Chris Franks has voiced his continued opposition to the charges:

"It is very regrettable that the Vale Council is installing machines for car parking at Cosmeston.

"The public made it quite clear that charging at Cosmeston should not go ahead. What was the point of consulting if the Vale then simply ignore the results?"