A water company has sparked anger with plans to charge for parking at a beauty spot.

South East Water has applied for planning permission to install a barrier and parking meter at Ardingly Reservoir, near Haywards Heath.

Wooden posts have already been put up on some grass verges leading to the reservoir to prevent motorists avoiding the proposed charges by parking nearby.

Visitors to the reservoir, a conservation area, have always been able to park free of charge while they enjoy walks around the beauty spot.

The water is also used for sailing by an outdoor activity centre.

The water company has now applied to Mid Sussex District Council for permission to install a barrier and coin collection units in the car park.

Fees are expected to be £1 per visit and £15 for a season ticket.

Timothy Forbes, from Lindfield, who walks his dogs at least twice a day at the reservoir, is furious.

He said the fees would hit those with less money who used the countryside for recreational purposes because it was free.

He said: "It will hit low-income families. This has been an established route for 20 to 25 years."

Mr Forbes said the car park was locked at 4pm every day in winter and 6pm in summer.

The new system will allow cars to park all day and exit at any time of night, a move Mr Forbes fears will encourage antisocial behaviour.

He said: "There will be overnight sex, drinking and dogging. It's not acceptable.

"I would like it to remain a utility site paid for by our water rates and enjoyed by all."

A total of 140 people have written to the district council objecting to the proposals.

A spokesman for South East Water said: "People will have to pay to get in but they will be able to leave when they want.

"We have a barrier at the moment which gets locked.

"This new barrier will allow people to leave when they are ready.

"There won't be a restriction on when people can leave but there may well be a restriction on the latest time they can go in."

The spokesman said the fees were necessary for the upkeep of the site, including its birdwatching hides.

A council spokesman said the authority only had the power to decide whether to grant planning permission for gates at the site.

He added: "The charging is not a decision in our hands."

The council is expected to make a decision on the gates in the next few weeks.

The closing date for objections was yesterday.