Parents in Stanhope in Ashford say they will carry out a peaceful protest today if workmen turn up to start turning a children’s play area into a car park.

A construction team arrived 10 days ago to start work on an area in Bredgar Close to the surprise of local residents.

They claim they were not consulted, but Ashford Borough Council says letters were sent out in September, 2006, as part of the planning process.

The work is part of a £200 million regeneration scheme of the Ashford estate.

Parents say a car park would be dangerous and take away the area where children ride bikes and play.