Where are we supposed to park?

That is the question being asked by residents of Whatcote Cottages on London Road, Platt, after being ticked off by the local primary school head teacher who has been leaving notes under their windscreen wipers.

There is only limited parking on the main road outside their homes, and so many residents park in nearby Platinum Way.

Platinum Way is also home to Platt Primary School and the Platt Memorial Hall.

Parking has recently become a hot issue in the neighbourhood, with the trustees of the Memorial Hall banning parents from parking in its car park and introducing ANPR cameras to fine anyone who breaches the rules.

That has brought pressure on the parking places in Platinum Way to boiling point as there is insufficient room to accommodate parents arriving at drop-off and pick-up times.

Claire Emerson has lived in Whatcote for six years. Her home, built in the 1920s, predates the new school which only moved to its current location in September 2021.

She said: “We have limited parking outside our cottages.

“When we were told the new school was going to be developed in Platinum Way, we were greatly concerned it would impact our already limited parking options.

“It was discussed at the various consultation meetings, and we were assured that we would still be allotted spaces.

“But lately, our cars have been littered with threatening notes from the new head teacher.

“We do not park there to be difficult, only to ensure the safety of our families.”

If she can’t park either outside her house or in Platinum Way, Mrs Emerson has to drive down Grange Road past the Blue Anchor pub to find a space where she can park and access the car from both sides.

She said: “I have two young children, aged five months and two years, so it is essential I can get in both sides.

“But walking back from there with two children is dangerous, especially in the dark. It’s a country lane with no footpath and no lighting.

“It’s obviously a bad situation all around, but where we park in Platinum Way, we are not in the school grounds.

“I don’t see why the school should come after us.

“I feel the head teacher should be leading by example and supporting her local community.”

Another resident, Anna Chaile, who also has two young children, had a similar story.

She said: “There are 20 cottages at Whatcote and a parking bay with only seven spaces, which includes a bus-stop.

“Only a couple of the cottages have their own off-street parking.

She said: “I’ve lived here five years and we always used to park in Platinum Way before the school moved in with no problem.

“Since then we have tried to find somewhere else to park.

”We parked in Platt Common, but that’s a private road and people there started putting out rocks and flower pots to stop us.

“Sometimes I have to park in Grange Road, but it is really not safe walking back from there.”

Mrs Chaile said she has had four letters put on her car’s windscreen in Platinum Way asking her not to park there.

But she said: “The last one was more aggressive saying we would be reported.”

“At the same time there are empty spaces in the school car park.

“We are part of the community too.”

Mrs Emerson agreed, saying: “All we wish is to work together to solve the parking problem. We very much feel that we are being pushed out.”

Platt head teacher, Emma Smith, was asked to comment on the parking situation and the letters being put on people’s windscreens.

She said: “Platt Church of England Primary School is a warm and welcoming school, we are proud of the fantastic facilities we enjoy where pupils can thrive.

“The school is in the heart of the community and like all schools, we promote the importance to the whole school community of being good neighbours, especially at pick-up and drop-off times.”

Kent County Council declined to comment.

Dan Turner has lived in Whatcote Cottages for two and a half years. A chef, he also has two young children and has received notes on his windscreen. He said: “We feel like we are everybody’s enemy, but if only everyone could be a bit more amenable, perhaps a solution could be found.

“If KCC gave residents permission to put in dropped kerbs, maybe some could then park in their front gardens, or if the Memorial Hall would just be a little more open.”

His partner Anita Martin is a critical care sister at Kings College Hospital in London. She said: “The sense coming from the school head teacher is that we are parking on Platinum Way with a total disregard for the safety of the children there and the convenience of the parents.

“However, the reason many of us find the need to park on Platinum way is simply because there is often no safe alternative.”

Mrs Emerson said: “We would be willing to contribute towards the maintenance of the road and spaces (in Platinum Way) if that helped.”

Daniel Welstead is a Whatcote resident who fortunately does have his own parking space. He said: “I get the frustration of all parties.

“I feel someone needs to move between the lines and find a solution that suits all.

“Perhaps there’s an opportunity for the school or the Memorial Hall to create a new revenue stream by selling parking permits.”