Plans have been submitted to install a gate across a church car park in a bid to address a “very worrying safety issue” which is hindering access for funeral mourners.

The free parking at All Saints Church, Whitstable, attracts a high number of cars during the summer - making it difficult for the 13th century venue to operate.

Fed up with having no control over who can use the site, those in charge of running the church and neighbouring hall have now submitted plans to get a gate installed and block access.

Churchwarden Margaret Arnold said: “There is a general increase in unauthorised use and it affects funerals, baptisms, services in the church and much more.

“At the moment we have no control over who uses the car park.

“It is a safety issue as is it used by people who have hired the hall; including Brownies, the scouting movement and the nursery school.”

The proposals have been submitted to Canterbury City Council’s planning department.

Rev Simon Tillotson says the church has been left with no choice but to prevent an access free-for-all.

“Our risk assessment identified that without a gate there is a risk of someone being injured as the entrance is round a sharp bend hidden by a low wall, especially for someone turning left into the car park,” he said.

“Over the summer we found our car park was often full of cars of people who were not visiting the church or church hall.

“This is making it very difficult for both venues to operate and so we are left with no option but to put a gate on the car park.”

The proposals for All Saints have so far attracted two objections, with critics citing fears over an increased likelihood of accidents on the main road as a result.

Neighbour Christine Holland said: “Church Street is a busy main road with limited parking for residents.

“I feel that if there is a gate across the car park then visitors to the grave yard wishing to pay their respects to loved ones will be forced to park in the busy main road thereby using the limited residents parking spaces.

"This will also be dangerous with the extra parking in the road and the likelihood of accidents occurring will be increased immensely.”

Details of planning applications from across the county can be found in our Public Notices section in print or online, along with a host of other announcements ranging from alcohol licence requests to road closures; probate to public rights of way.

Read more: All the latest news from Whitstable