Tonbridge and Malling Borough Councillors have unanimously given the final go ahead to the building of a new Angel Leisure Centre in Tonbridge.

The project involves spending £ 20.6 million but no borrowing is required, with council reserves being used instead.

Conservative Council leader, Matt Boughton, said: “In itself this is a remarkable achievement and one that few local councils could have accomplished.”

Construction is due to start in January 2027 with the new centre open around August 2028.

The final sign off took place on Tuesday night after three years of consultations and deliberations.

Matt Boughton thanked the “community groups, organisations, councillors, officers and partners who have worked alongside us to develop the concept of a new Angel Centre. A particular thanks to Cllr Adem Mehmet, Cabinet Member responsible for Tonbridge Regeneration, who has led the project from the front.”

The new centre will be operated by the existing leisure provider, TMActive.

Matt Boughton said: “This is the biggest investment Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has ever made as we follow through on the commitment we made to you, to regenerate Tonbridge town centre.”

The map below show the location of the new Angel Leisure centre in the red box on the current Sovereign Way Mid Car Park.

Councillors decided that the existing Angel Centre, which was built in 1986, is reaching the end of its operational life.

The council says boilers and ventilation systems need replacing outright, the sports hall floor also needs replacing, while deteriorating drains cause regular blockages and the roof combines ageing felt with asbestos-containing tiles.

So the council decided on a new build with lower energy use, designed to deliver a wide range of upgraded sports, community and leisure facilities.

The proposed new leisure centre features red brick detailing in keeping with the town’s vernacular.

The designers also speak of a: “carefully considered feature rainscreen cladding in a variety of panel formats.”