Leeds city centre car park closes tonight

Leeds City Council has decided not to renew Elite Parking’s long-stay licence for the site on Whitehall Road.

Around 350 commuters use the car park every day.

Elite Parking, which also operates as City Parking, leases the land, but the lease ends on January 26.

The popular car park charges £4 a day and has discounted rates for NHS workers, and was used by commuters from across Yorkshire.

As previously reported in the YEP, Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland voiced his concerns over the closure after receiving over 150 complaints from customers.

Speaking earlier this week, executive board member for the economy and development, councillor Richard Lewis, said: “Elite Parking’s site was never one of the approved sites and has operated illegally for over four years. They have been fully aware that they must stop since an independent Government inspector refused their appeal in June last year.

“This followed our refusal of their planning application in March 2012 because it failed to address important issues.

“Elite Parking have known since January 2010 that they are in breach of planning regulations, and have been aware since the Government inspector’s decision on 26 June, 2013 that they have until the end of their lease on 26 January, 2014 to stop operating.

“They have only advised their customers this week.”