CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after winning their fight to stop half of a school playing field being turned into a car park.

Last month, York Road Junior School and Language Unit applied to turn part of its sports field into a 33-space car park.

The school in York Road, Dartford, withdrew the application after "considerable objections" from residents.

The joint bid, made by the school and Kent County Council's education department, was to add extra parking for its 80 staff.

A KCC education spokesman said: "We received lots of objections including a petition signed by 120 people and letters from more than 20 people.

"The application has since been withdrawn and we are now in discussion with all parties to decide the best way forward."

Residents of Sussex Road, which borders the playing field, received letters about the proposals on July 27 and set up a petition which they handed to KCC.

They were concerned at the loss of half the playing field and feared they would have to live near a sea of concrete and a car park would attract vandals.

Resident Chris Knight said: "I am so glad the council stopped the plan. It is good news.

"The kids can play on the school field as much as they like and we won't have to look out onto a horrible car park."

The campaign was backed by Dartford MP Dr Howard Stoate.

He says he is glad the council has realised the proposal was inappropriate for a small school in a town centre.

Dr Stoate said: "I think it is a triumph for everybody concerned and I am glad they have not gone ahead with the plan.

"It shows how the whole community can work together to prevent something from happening.

"I think the council saw common sense after considerable objections from residents."