In reply to andrewmcleod:
My pessimistic thought on this, which I should say is based on no evidence what so ever, is as follows:
Council put up price to stupid level --> Climbers (and others) stop using the car park --> council can claim car park is under used and so can sell of the land to build more houses on.
Im not saying building more homes is bad (or good) just that I think this is all a crafty plan from someone who doesn't appreciate a short walk in.