A popular park padlocked by council bosses after being controversially earmarked for a new school is due to be reopened - in a victory for KentOnline.

Residents in Whitstable had threatened to hold a protest after Kent County Council (KCC) chained gates to Church Street Playing Field in a move it claimed was to protect the public from potential attackers “hiding in bushes”.

However, the local authority’s motive was questioned as it came amid attempts by locals to block one of the town’s few green spaces from being built on.

After our story on the row piled pressure on the council, the entryways are now set to be unlocked.

A spokesperson for KCC confirmed: “We took the decision to lock the gates for the general safety of the public following a site inspection because we discovered evidence of unauthorised occupation and misuse which we considered could pose a potential safety risk to the public.

“We do, however, recognise that local residents value the use of this space and we have sought advice from our insurers on any measures we need to put in place so that we can reopen the site safely and discharge our duty as a responsible landowner.

“These measures include signage to discourage misuse of the site, such as unauthorised camping, open fires and barbeques, so that the local community can continue enjoying the use of the field.”

There was no official notice or consultation before the field was locked up, but KCC previously said it took action “to avoid the possibility of a member of the public walking through the site and being subject to an assault”.

The protest - organised by the Friends of Church Street Playing Field - was planned for tomorrow (Saturday).

But group member David Hartburn confirmed today that the demonstration has been called off.

“Common sense has prevailed,” said the dad-of-two.

“The move to lock the gates greatly angered the community - although you could still access from openings in the hedges. I'm grateful we can continue to use it until a school is built.”

KCC secured funding through the Department of Education (DfE) for the Whitstable Free School project last year.

But in May, the Friends of Church Street Playing Field petitioned the authority to redesignate the field as a village green - frustrating the council’s plans.

If the authority throws out the ‘village green’ bid, the Department for Education is expected to launch a 12-month feasibility study. Only then can a planning application go before Canterbury City Council for consideration.

Local city councillor James Flanagan said he was delighted that the gates will be unlocked.

“The reasons for locking the gates were always questionable, and came as a shock to the local community,” he said.

“I hope that KCC will learn from this and ensure that any future plans they have for the field are communicated clearly and consider the views of local residents.

“Hopefully some lessons have been learned about how to engage with the community - we’re here to play a part in making community, not taking things away from them.”

A KCC spokesperson also added: “The land is KCC’s private property and has been reserved as a potential location for a new school for children and young people with special educational needs. It has not been formally designated as a public space for general use.”