School children are battling proposals for a railway station car park which they have branded “ludicrous and dangerous”.

Five Year 6 pupils at More Park Catholic Primary School in West Malling organised and delivered a 180-signature petition against the proposed facility along with a copy of the school’s newspaper to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s planning department on the final day of public consultation last Friday.

If successful, the application would see a private 212-space car park built next to West Malling station and opposite the Lucks Hill school’s main entrance, on a triangular piece of land which also borders Station Road and the Ashford to London rail line.

Land owner and applicant Guy Kemsley cites the fact the existing 600 bays are regularly filled, with commuter demand set to increase due to services to London Bridge no longer running from nearby Paddock Wood, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks stations.

“It is admirable that the children have taken the time to get involved in a really important issue." - Headteacher Danny Coleman

However, the 10- and 11-year-old pupils, who also run the More Park Mail, dispute his claim having visited the existing facilities on Tuesday afternoon and finding 62 empty bays.

In a two-page special report, published in last Friday’s edition, the editorial team, led by English teacher Leanne Drury, said the proposal would put pupils at risk and make existing parking problems worse by building a facility that only serves commuters.

Concerns were also raised that tarmacking the area would increase the likelihood of flooding.

In October, the school was badly hit by floods after drains on Lucks Hill became blocked.

Head teacher Danny Coleman said: “It is admirable that the children have taken the time to get involved in a really important issue.

“They come back at lunchtime and after school to work on the paper.

“It is their safety that is one of the main reasons why we are making such a fuss about this.”

If the application is decided by the council’s planning committee, it will be on May 27.