Plans to sell off one of Medway’s most picturesque spots have been halted after causing outrage.

Kent County Council wants to dispose of the Blue Bell Hill picnic site in Chatham, along with a number of other parks in the county.

A public notice appeared in the Medway Messenger, prompting more than 800 people to sign a petition opposing the sale.

The park, a popular attraction with families, dog walkers and wildlife enthusiasts, sits within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust.

A spokesman for the Trust said: “Kent Wildlife Trust is very concerned about the KCC proposal to dispose of this site, which is designated as an SSSI, which means that it has exceptional wildlife value.

"We will encourage the council to ensure that any decisions it makes about the future of the site are made responsibly and with a clear understanding of its wildlife sensitivity."

Among those urging people to sign the petition was the daughter of Kent Air Ambulance paramedic Mark Darby who was killed along with his colleagues Tony Richardson and Captain Graham Budden when the helicopter crashed on the North Downs in 1998.

A memorial stone for the three men is located next to the car park at the picnic site.

Residents in Blue Bell Hill said they knew nothing about the sale until the public notice appeared in the Messenger.

Villager Richard Rodgers said: “I walk my dogs up there and there have been no public notices put up at the site. It seems a bit underhand.

“The site is very well used - not just by local people but people come by car from much further afield. In the summer it is packed.

“It is such a unspoilt spot with lovely views. People will be up in arms if it is sold off. It will be devastating.”

The public initially only had until February 1 to object to the sale but Kent County Council has now halted plans and said it will be holding a further consultation.

A spokesman said: “KCC is proposing to suspend the process pending a further consultation in due course.

“We have identified that there are a number of parks with a relatively small number of annual visitors compared to other sites.

"In the current financial climate the council has had to consider very carefully its country park offer to ensure that resources are focused where they can make the biggest impact for our residents.

“We will therefore be seeking local stakeholders’ and community views on the future public use of the sites.

"As part of this we would welcome proposals from local communities as to how we can best ensure that the sites remain open to the public and are financially viable.”

Chatham MP Tracey Crouch wrote to KCC leader Paul Carter earlier this week asking for an extension to the consultation deadline.

She said: “One of the main problems is that no-one knew of this proposal, including me. It is a wonderful site, which has huge environmental and historical significance and understandably everyone is concerned about its future.

"There was little or no consultation with interested parties and there is no information available as to what it is being sold for, or how the contract with the excellent Kent Wildlife Trust contract will be affected."