SUPPORTERS of charity group Friends of the Lake District have been urged to object to a bid to restore a controversial Kendal car park.

The application by David Fone has been made directly to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove, and seeks approval for work to enable the former unofficial car park on common land off New Road to be reinstated.

But the Friends charity has written to its members and supporters asking them to register their opposition to the application.

“There is a vociferous minority who wish to see car parking on the common, contrary to the views of the majority,” claim the Friends in their communication.

“The land is common land and the residents of the district have a legal right of free access to it for recreation and enjoyment.

“A car park on the land will prevent this free right of access and use.

“We are urging you to join us in objecting to this application and preventing this area of common land being returned to its former state as an illegal car park.”

In addition The Open Spaces Society, a national pressure group which campaigns on common land issues, has also this week lodged an objection to Mr Fone’s application.

The land in question, which lies between New Road and the River Kent, is designated as common land and has for many years been used as an unofficial free car park popular with both residents and visitors.

But in early 2018, South Lakeland District Council cordoned off the area, citing safety concerns.

The move sparked protests from some residents, who wanted the car park restored.

SLDC subsequently landscaped the area and has now launched a public consultation on the future of the land, with a return to car parking one of the possible outcomes.

However the new application, which has been made under Section 38 of the Commons Act 2006, is independent of SLDC and was submitted by Mr Fone’s agents, the J36 Rural Auction Centre.

An SLDC spokesperson said the council was aware of the application and would be responding accordingly.

The deadline date for objections to the plan is next Sunday, January 20.