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Ashford Town Bowls Club could move to proposed Conningbrook Park estate in Kennington within three years

By: Charlie Harman

Published: 09:11, 22 February 2019

Updated: 09:29, 22 February 2019

A bowls club has expressed excitement over plans to move from its 100-year-old clubhouse to a new facility expected to be built on a 750-home development.

Ashford Town Bowls Club was established in 1908, and has seen thousands of members walk through the doors of its 108-year-old pavilion in Vicarage Lane.

But the building is starting to show its age with a subsiding floor and gaps in the walls, while the green has become offset over the years.

Club chairman John Sadler outside the old pavilion

Its age also means the only toilets are outside and the site isn't accessible for those with disabilities.

Now the group is set to move to Conningbrook Estate - the 750-home scheme on the outskirts of Kennington dubbed Large Burton.

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The proposal, which has been submitted to Ashford Borough Council, would feature a 292 sq m clubhouse with ancillary buildings and additional parking if given the green light.

Ashford Town Bowls Club in Vicarage Lane

In exchange for the new home, Ashford Town Bowls Club is giving its Vicarage Lane site - for which they hold the freehold - to Quinn Estates.

Club chairman John Sadler said: "The condition of our current facilities has impacted membership.

"A hundred years ago we had 250 members, whereas now it's about 80.

Developer Mark Quinn

"We're extremely excited. We're relocating next to a school and hopefully we can open a dialogue with them to get the children to come and try out the sport.

"There are lots of things that need doing here, it's extremely high maintenance and the funds aren't there.

"We've been trying to move for seven or eight years now and we approached each other simultaneously, so it was quite fortunate.

An aerial diagram of what the development could look like

"This for us is an ideal opportunity to enhance bowls' profile in the borough.

"We have quite a few Kennington members already and hopefully it will inspire lots more people from the area to join."

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Mr Sadler estimates the move to the Kennington site will take place within three years, if the planning application is approved.

Part of the pavilion had once been a railway carriage

To view the Conningbrook Park scheme, visit www.ashford.gov.uk and search for the 19/00025/AS application.

The deadline for public comments is Monday.

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