Plans to extend a town centre car park have been greeted with dismay - with more than 2,900 people signing a petition opposing the move.

Tonbridge and Malling council thought the plan to add 28 spaces to the Upper Castle Fields car park in Tonbridge would be uncontroversial.

Cabinet member Cllr Martin Coffin (Con) said the extra spaces would play a “pivotal role” in supporting events at the nearby castle.

But the extension into an area of green space next to Slade Primary School has upset parents and residents.

Jacquie Wyatt, chairman of the Slade Area Residents Association (SARA) which has more than 300 members, started the online petition at change.org.

She said: “I am deeply concerned about the potential loss of our cherished green space.

“This area, which is home to a children’s play area with swings, with trees and with grass where children like to kick a ball about, provides a scenic approach to both the castle and Slade School.

“It is the only green space in our residential area.

“It also provides a view for the residents of the elderly accommodation at Castle Field. They don’t want to look out over a car park.”

The extension was one of a series of measures around the town’s car parks, which included extending parking fees to 8pm and charging for parking on Sunday for the first time, that was agreed by borough’s cabinet members on April 2.

The move had been subject to a six-week consultation that ended in January, where the public response was less clear.

Of those that took part, 877 people were in favour of the car park extension, with 866 against, and 19 made “non-specific” replies.

Mrs Wyatt said: “This shared space is a key part of Tonbridge. It's where children play after school. It has a long history. There has been play equipment there for 75 years.

“The World Health Organization suggests that access to green spaces can reduce health inequalities in urban areas.

“Losing this space would not only diminish our quality of life, but could also potentially impact our health as well.

”Moreover, preserving this area aligns with Tonbridge's own commitment towards maintaining its natural heritage, as outlined in its Local Plan 2011-2031.

“There, the borough says ‘the protection and enhancement of biodiversity will be sought through conserving existing habitats’.

“We urge the council to think again and safeguard this vital community asset for present generations and those yet to come.”

Green councillors Anna Cope and Mark Hood both spoke against the extension when it was discussed at the cabinet meeting.

Cllr Hood said afterwards: “We are appalled by this bonkers plan to tarmac over green space at Upper Castle Fields.

“This decision has been taken by an out-of-town and out-of-touch cabinet who have ignored their own policies to impose their will on residents.

“This proposal will destroy a carbon sink and green lung in the heart of our community for no financial or environmental benefit. It is entirely misguided and we urge the council to think again”

Cllr Matt Boughton (Con), leader of Tonbridge and Malling council, responded to the campaign on Facebook.

He said: “Last week, I voted to agree to the principle of extending the car park.

“Upper Castle Fields is the most successful car park run by the council in terms of occupancy, despite its charges being the most expensive.

“The occupancy of the car park is high with bays being sold two to three times a day with £7.03 generated daily for each bay provided.

“It is often full and has become increasingly popular with the growth of events at Tonbridge Castle.

“There are 114 event days in Tonbridge across the year with total visitor numbers estimated to be in the region of 70,000.

“The car park is also well used due to its proximity to Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground, Tonbridge Swimming Pool and Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Club.

“The council has also taken decisions that would prioritise development on car parks elsewhere in the town, rather than on greenbelt land, so in the long-term we would expect to lose many more spaces than are currently provided on the east of the High Street.

“So given the context of the supply of spaces across the town likely to be reducing, but demand for parking on the increase, we consulted on the extension.

“Clearly there is no unanimity of view, but it is completely untrue to say the council hasn't listened. Whatever we had done, we would have annoyed hundreds of people!”

But Mrs Wyatt disputed the view that an extension was necessary.

She said: “That’s the irony. They want to add 28 spaces but it is often empty now.”

Tonbridge and Malling council has a policy that any issue that attracts a petition of 1,500 signatures will be returned to either the cabinet or full council for further discussion.

With the petition exceeding 2,250 signatures in just 72 hours, the council confirmed this will now happen, although a date has not yet been set.

Mrs Wyatt said: “We will be there to present our case.”

You can view the petition here.

The cabinet debate on the extension can be viewed on the council’s webcast here. The relevant item starts at 1hr 12mins.

There is also a Save Upper Castle Fields Facebook page here.

The parents of children attending Slade Primary School will be holding a play date on Upper Castle Fields after school on Friday, April 19, so children can enjoy the space while it still exists.