Protesters formed a human chain around land where two homes are planned.

The Friends of The Triangle are opposed to the plan for the junction of Windmill Street, Albert Road and St Leonard’s Road in Hythe.

Around 70 people met there on Saturday and joined hands to stand around the land, which is surrounded by a wall and is grade II listed.

Leader of the protest Ashley Tanton said: “We feel that this should remain undeveloped.

“It is in a built-up area and any building is going to spoil the character of the town and harm the site. We would like the current owners to turn it into a garden for community use. Since they bought the land, it has been neglected and all they have done is cut down two trees, one of which was a memorial tree.”

After the trees were felled, Engish Heritage gave The Triangle of land and the wall a Grade II listing in 2012.

The owners have applied to Shepway District Council to build two homes there. Architect Darren Beeching said in last week’s Express that the homes would protect the land and ensure it was properly maintained.

But Mr Tanton said: “This is an historic site. It was used as a pound for stray animals and is one of only two triangular-shaped pieces of land for this use in the country.

"This is one of the reasons why English Heritage listed it, although unfortunately that does not protect it from development.”

“This is an historic site. It was used as a pound for stray animals and is one of only two triangular-shaped pieces of land for this use in the country. This is one of the reasons why English Heritage listed it." Protester Ashley Tanton

Mr Tanton, a project manager with a construction firm, said: “The Triangle has always been part of my life and we played there as children. I now live opposite the land and look out on it.”

He handed in a petition of opposition with 220 signatures to Shepway council last week.

He is still collecting signatures, and anyone wanting to add their name can click here or for more information, search for the Facebook group Hythe Triangle.

Shepway council has so far received nine comments on the planning application and 53 on the listed building consent.

A Shepway council spokesman said it had not yet been decided if the application would be dealt with by the development control committee or by officers under delegated powers.

To see the details, go to the planning section of Shepway District Council's website and search for application numbers Y14/1314/SH and Y14/1315/SH.