I LIVE locally and am a lapsed member of the National Trust but frequently call in at Sizergh Castle for coffee with friends or on my way to Kendal for shopping and am dismayed to see the future plans for car park charges.

A minimum of £2 for an hour increasing to £8 for the day is proposed with free parking for National Trust members.

I realise that the National Trust usually charge for parking at their properties, which is fine if you are visiting the castle and going for a walk in the grounds probably followed by dining at the cafe.

But I think the people who pop in just to visit the shop and have a coffee will be unwilling to pay an extra £2 per visit and it would be better if at least the first hour could be free to park.

We all know what happened at K Village when car parking charges were introduced! I’m sure they will lose visitors especially in the winter when the castle is closed.

I have complained to the National Trust and hope other people will do so when they realise what is proposed.

Mrs J. Carswell

Arnside