RESIDENTS in a Kent town are battling to save a car park from being redeveloped for housing.

Campaigners at Ramsgate say the district council proposal to build three five-storey buildings and a bungalow at Albion Place on the town’s East Cliff will have a major impact on their lives.

Protestor Linda Miles described the scheme as "planning vandalism" and added: "People who live in this area desperately need the car park. There are yellow lines prohibiting parking elsewhere nearby.

"The car park is a lifeline to our community. Unwittingly the council has already caused fear and worry to young families, the elderly, the disabled, local business, shops, restaurants and pubs who all rely on the car park in Albion Place.

"Young families with children who live close by in Abbotts Hill are unable to park outside their own homes. What will they do if the scheme goes ahead - drive around in circles up and down streets until maybe they find a parking space then walk all the way home, especially in the winter.

"The elderly and the disabled will not be able to walk miles back to their own homes."

She said the car park helped attract customers into the town centre which is important in the face of competition from the new Westwood Cross retail park and its free parking.

She added: "There no shortage of housing being built in Ramsgate that warrants taking away Albion Place car park.

"The council has repeatedly taken car parking space away from the town centre, for example at Charlotte Street behind Harbour Street which has been turned into a pedestrian area, which only seems to be used by local down and outs. This was a complete waste of space and expense to the local taxpayer. "

The campaigners are urging protestors to make their feelings known to the council’s planning department at its Hawley Street head office in Margate by Friday (September 9), or email planning.services@thanet.gov.uk