PROTESTORS plan to remove huge rocks bordering common land once used as a car park tonight.

But South Lakeland District Council has warned that anyone taking away the boulders bordering the New Road site in Kendal will be committing a criminal offence and face prosecution.

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"We've made the council aware we're going to go down there (New Road) and we're going to move the rocks," said Andy Milliard, a Kendal business owner and member of a group of campaigners wanting free parking returned to New Road. "We want to be heard because we don't think they (SLDC) are listening.

"I talk to the people of this town and a lot of them are angry because people are no longer bothering to come to Kendal. They're bypassing it and they're all saying the same thing: 'There's nowhere to park'."

But SLDC has issued a warning ahead of the planned protest which advises members of the public not to get involved in the removal of rocks.

"We wish to make it clear that driving any motorised vehicle on to the common would be in breach of the by-law and the Road Traffic Act and would therefore be a criminal offence liable to prosecution," said a local authority spokesman. "Any person found guilty by the court would have a criminal record.

“Any damage caused to the boulders, or the land as a result of the boulders being moved, would be considered to be criminal damage, which is also a criminal offence liable to prosecution.

“As we have now been made aware of the intention to potentially commit criminal offences we are consulting with police about this issue.’’

Mr Milliard added that objectors to the landscaping of the site were calling for a public inquiry into the issue.

"We want to know why our questions are not being answered, nobody is speaking to us," he said. "They (SLDC) held their own public meeting and there was a 90 per cent 'no' to this and they still went on and did it. Who are they serving?

"Councillors need to be held to account and that's why we want a public inquiry."

SLDC leader Cllr Giles Archibald refuted claims people were not being listened to and said: "I have said repeatedly, and as often as I can, that I am willing to meet with anyone to talk about their concerns with New Road. I'm open to having a discussion with anyone."

Protestors are expected to meet on the former car park from 7pm onwards.