A rethink is needed over parking fee plans, backbenchers have told the leaders of a borough council.

Earlier this month, the Conservative cabinet members at Tonbridge and Malling council decided to introduce parking fees for the first time in West Malling High Street, at two cars parks in Aylesford and one in Martin Square, Larkfield.

They also decided to extend the time when parking charges would apply across the whole borough from 6pm till 8pm and added Sundays as well.

But it seems that almost everybody was upset by at least one measure among the package.

Five councillors from across all the parties have signed a “call-in” and the issues will now be discussed again at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday, April 22.

They are Cllrs David Thornewell (Lib Dem), Frani Hoskins (Lib Dem) Paul Hickmott (Lab), Roger Dalton (Con) and Mark Hood (Green).

The committee has no powers to reverse the cabinet’s decision but will be hoping to persuade it to think again.

The cabinet’s considerations were preceded by a six-week public consultation - which the borough was obliged to hold by law.

But its decisions, in most cases, ran very much contrary to the views expressed by the public.

Several times during the evening, council leader Cllr Matt Boughton dismissed the public’s views, observing: “You don’t expect turkeys to vote for Christmas.”

It is the backbenchers’ view that the cabinet did not properly take into account the public’s objections.

Cllr Thornewell said: “The cabinet did not fully consider the effects on residents and businesses even though there were a great many responses to the consultation.”

Cllr Anita Oakley (Lib Dem) is the chairman of the scrutiny committee.

She said she would be inviting some of those distressed by the changes to speak at the meeting.

Among them will be James Gardner, chairman of the West Malling Chamber of Commerce, who is concerned about the introduction of charges in the High Street and Swan Street.

Also invited is Barrie Smith, the chairman of Martin Square Traders, who is concerned at the effect on businesses of charges there, and Martin Guyton, managing director of the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust, who is concerned how increased parking charges will affect his custom at the Angel Leisure Centre.

Separately, residents led by Jacquie Wyatt, are opposing the planned extension of Upper Castle Fields Car Park into an adjacent green space they say is well used by parents and children attending the nearby Slade Primary School.

Mrs Wyatt has gained 2,450-plus signatures on an online petition against the plans, which means the matter must be reconsidered by the council.

She is being backed by four Conservative councillors who are opposing their leadership’s decision.

Cllr Adem Mehmet (Con) has issued a joint statement with his Tory colleagues Cllrs Keith Tunstall, Dennis King and Mark Rhodes.

He said: “We do not support the proposal to expand the parking area at Upper Castle Fields.

“In our view, the new car park would unacceptably split the green in two, which would diminish the use of it as an area of open space for leisure and recreation.

“We are also concerned about the effect on the setting of Tonbridge Castle, one of our town’s most important assets.

“While it is an unavoidable necessity that Tonbridge and Malling, like all councils, has to consider new ways of increasing revenue in order to maintain public services, we feel that the harm that would arise to the character and appearance of the area through the loss of the green space would not justify the financial benefits in this instance.”

Cllr Mehmet went on to say: “This is not about party politics, but doing what we feel is right for our town.

“We have already raised these concerns with the leader Cllr Boughton and we will also be attending the extraordinary meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to oppose the plans.

“We believe the cabinet will listen to our concerns, and those raised by residents, and agree to drop the plans once and for all.”