A petition against the introduction of parking charges for Cobtree Manor Park in Aylesford has attracted the support of thousands.

The Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee agreed to bring in the £1.50 fee, to raise revenue for upkeep, after a new visitor centre is opened in May. As a charity, the trust cannot make a profit.

Maidstone council manages the park on the trust’s behalf. It was left to the town by owner Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake, who was Mayor of Maidstone 12 times.

The petition attracted more than 5,000 supporters in its first three days and currently has more than 7,000.

It was started by Catherine Wyatt, whose father, Don Wyatt, runs the Cobtree Cabin cafe, which has been there since 2002 and will close before the new centre opens. Mr Wyatt declined to speak publicly about the situation. The petition said: “We feel this is particularly unfair to the dog walkers who simply want to enjoy the park and have been using it for years.”

In a statement, the trust said: “As visitors will know, the trust has spent £1m improving the park. These improvements have been very popular, resulting in a 700% increase in visitors.

“To help afford the increased costs of looking after the park, the trust has agreed to introduce parking charges. All income raised will be reinvested in the park.”

See the petition https://www.change.org/p/maidstone-borough-council-reconsider-your-actions-in-cobtree-manor-park