Controversial plans to make residents in a Sittingbourne estate pay to park outside their homes have been scrapped.

Around 170 people received letters warning they could be fined up to £100 if they failed to comply with new rules, which would have limited parking to one space for each property, with a £10 annual fee for permits.

The permits were reportedly being introduced to control inconsiderate parking, but homeowners in the Great Easthall Estate said it would “tear the community apart”.

Numerous signs were affixed to walls around the development warning of the fines, but HML Andertons, which manages part of the development on behalf of Taylor Wimpey, has made a U-turn and apologised to residents.

Alan Coates, managing director of the Croydon-based company, said: “What upsets me about this is that the residents have been put in a situation they should never have been put in the first place.

“We don’t impose draconian measures on residents.

“There are problems on the estate – abuse of parking – but they are by a minority and, like all these estates, there’s not enough parking in the first place.

“I’m very sorry – that’s all I can say.”

He admitted he did not know why the restrictions were imposed to begin with and said he had not been aware of them.

Mr Coates said an internal investigation was being carried out to look into why numerous complaints made to the company were not properly followed up.

Residents were also hand-delivered letters apologising for any inconvenience caused.

Those who initially started a petition against the parking measures have spoken of how the incident has brought the community closer together. Gary Stevens, of Standen Grove, said: “It’s a victory for the little man.

“It goes to show when people get together, anything can be achieved.” Another neighbour, Andy McGowan, who also lives in Standen Grove with his wife Cheryl, said: “For us as residents, it gave us something we didn’t have before – all of us are getting on so much better, everyone waves and chats to each other.

“I don’t want anyone to lose their job, but a lot of damage has been done and it was unnecessary.”