A huge health club featuring three tennis courts and four swimming pools is to be built next to a dual carriageway despite traffic and environmental concerns.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has approved plans for David Lloyd Leisure to open its third site in Kent on Waterbrook Park in Ashford, creating 100 jobs.

The firm is to build a sprawling facility on a patch of land just off the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road that was previously earmarked for a huge Amazon warehouse.

Kent Highways raised concerns earlier this year over the impact on the new four-way Orbital Park junction next to the site, while fears were also shared on how the development will impact wildlife in a pond on the corner of the plot.

But ABC stated more cars would not significantly impact the area, with a transport statement submitted by the developers showing the proposed development would not result in a noticeable level of additional traffic.

It was also pointed out the scheme would not harm neighbouring plans for 364 homes, which have already gained permission, on another part of the Waterbrook estate.

The health club will be served by 248 parking spaces, including 10 disabled and four parent-child spaces.

In their report, the planning officer said: “The proposal would represent significant new commercial investment and employment generation within Ashford.

“There are no suitable alternative sites available or ideal for the site-specific need identified in the proposals, and it would not have an adverse impact upon the vitality and viability of the town centre.

“Overall, I consider the proposals to represent an acceptable commercial development under the Ashford Local Plan and would provide significant commercial investment in the Ashford area while also generating 70 to 100 full and part-time jobs."

The “premium” sports facility would include six padel courts, a multi-use court, a gym, two sports halls, and a children’s activity area.

Among the four swimming pools will be a five-lane indoor pool, a learner pool, a 25-metre outdoor pool and a children’s facility.

The club will also have a lounge where food and drink can be served.

An inflatable air dome is proposed to cover the three tennis courts, allowing people to play the sport all year round and in all weather conditions.

It is also set to include a Battle Box facility - a black shipping container full of the equipment needed for full-body, high-energy fitness training sessions.

The leisure club will join two other David Lloyd facilities in Kent - Kings Hill near Maidstone and Dartford.

It is unclear how much membership fees will cost, but prices start at £139 a month in Dartford.

The David Lloyd Club is just one of many developments looking to move into Waterbrook Park, which is already home to a Barretts Land Rover dealership and the Ashford International Truckstop.

German supermarket chain Aldi was granted planning permission in November 2022 for its second supermarket in Ashford.

But a condition imposed by ABC means contractors cannot start work until progress is made on a separate convenience store on the nearby Finberry housing estate.

The discount retailer launched a petition against the move last year as it fears Finberry residents "will continue to have no local food store for several years".

A new Taco Bell drive-thru is also earmarked to open, as well as the town’s fourth KFC, but plans are yet to be waved through.

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David Lloyd Leisure, which also hopes to build a facility in Herne Bay, was unable to say when work will start when asked by KentOnline this week.

“We are delighted to be able to bring David Lloyd Clubs to the local community at Ashford,” they said.

“Our plan is to create a state-of-the-art health and wellness club that not only reflects the needs of people living in the area but also creates a range of exciting new jobs and opportunities.

“We are currently working through our plans, and we hope to be able to share timings in the next few months.”

Despite concerns raised over wildlife on the site, KCC’s ecological advice service did not object to the application, but wanted a biodiversity enhancement plan to be implemented to protect nesting birds.

The approval comes as many drivers have raised concerns over the safety of the new Orbital Park junction following a number of traffic light failures.

Amazon pulled out of plans to open a warehouse on the site in 2021 - two years after its bid was approved by ABC.