Kent Cricket fans face the prospect of being unable to use Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School for match day parking in 2019 due to the school’s planned redevelopment.

Parking has been drastically reduced at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in recent years with the Bat & Ball car park and space on the Old Dover Road side of the ground, where the retirement flats have been built, lost.

On busy match days, supporters have been able to use the school field as a car park, when available, which is only a short walk from the ground.

The club wrote to members earlier this month saying parking “cannot be guaranteed” during 2019 at Simon Langton.

The letter said: “As you may be aware car parking has been an ongoing challenge in recent years and it is with regret I have to inform you, that at this stage, access to the Simon Langton Girls’ School cannot be guaranteed during 2019, due to planned redevelopment at the school.

“We would recommend that you take advantage of the New Dover Road Park and Ride facility which operated very effectively during the 2018 season.

“Should the situation change and access to the school be permitted, then access for life members will continue, as it does at Beckenham and Tunbridge Wells.

“We will continue to investigate and look at alternative parking options for both 2019 and beyond.”

The Kentish Gazette has asked Kent Cricket if parking will be available at the school in 2019, what alternate options is the club exploring and if parking is likely to be available once the work has been completed.

An interview request with Kent’s interim chief executive Ben Green to discuss the issue was declined.

A spokesman for the club said: “We haven’t yet reached the final conclusion regarding parking, as fixtures are currently being finalised.

“Car parking has been an ongoing challenge in recent years, and a priority for us as we wish to enhance all aspects of the match day experience.

“Conversations regarding this are currently happening and we will provide a further update as soon as possible.”

Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School revealed plans last week for a multi-million pound redevelopment of the site that will see a new school built on the neighbouring land.

Work on the project is hoped to start in May next year, with the modern block being completed in November 2020.

Demolition of the current school will then follow, with the school’s 1,100 pupils moved to the new facility.

The last of the work is set to be complete by the end of September 2021.

Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School did not wish to comment on the parking situation for the 2019 season.