A Kent town’s ailing sports pavilion is to be rebuilt after revised plans were approved.

New Romney’s football and cricket clubs will get a new community hall and a nursery under the proposal, which proponents say is “long overdue”.

New Romney Town Council submitted the plans through Hythe-based architecture firm Hollaway in July this year.

The site, just off the town’s Station Road, had 34 new homes and a leisure centre approved for development by Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) in May 2020.

But at a meeting on Tuesday December 12, FHDC’s planning committee met to decide on the new plans.

Alex Richards, of Hollaway Architects, told members the previously planned sport facility was no longer viable.

He said: “The enabling residential development has been constructed, however as I’m sure you all know due to market conditions is no longer generating enough funds to realise that previously designed community building.”

However, he said they have “been able to do more with less,” and design a “new and improved facility for New Romney Town Council”.

Mayor of New Romney, Cllr John Rivers, also attended to support the plans, telling the committee: “Approval of this application will provide the town with a much needed sports pavilion to replace the 100-year-old Maude Pavilion.

“We’re the only town or village on the marsh that does not have a community hall.”

He also said that the 20 planned cycle parking spaces and 41 car parking spaces will “alleviate the traffic parking problems currently endured on match days”.

But Cllr David Wimble (Ind) who represents the area, however, was asked to call the plans in by residents fearing noise.

“I’ve always supported a community hall for the sports ground and the district,” he said.

“This sports hall proposal has been in the works for an extensive period, originally stretching back to 14 years ago.

“What we see in the current planning application is not merely a community hall or sports pavilion, but the addition of a children’s nursery.

“This proposal has now shifted to a different location just a few metres from residential housing which is why I was asked to call this in.

“This change raises concerns about potential noise disruption caused by preschool children and the inconvenience of drop off and pick up activities throughout the day for nearby residents.”

Cllr Wimble said he’s “all for the hall” but asked for the committee to defer the decision.

Under the plans a new nursery facility will be built on the site to replace the existing Seashells Nursery.

However, it will be built elsewhere on the site so that Seashells can continue working during construction.

Cllr Nicola Keen (Lab), vice chairman of the planning committee noted: “What I don’t understand then is why these objections about the nursery have been raised, when football players and cricket players will make exactly the same noise as small children.”

A council planning officer responded that noise is not a sufficient reason to refuse the plans, and that they notified 55 neighbours and received no objections.

Members of the committee sung the praises of the plans, with Cllr Anita Jones (Green) saying: “I struggle to find anything negative about this, I think it’s a wonderful idea and it’s going to be fantastic in New Romney.

“I think it will help improve the health of the area and people’s mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing, the sustainability goals are fantastic on it so definitely in favour and want to see this move forward.”

Marsh representative Cllr Tony Cooper (Lab) added: “This is long overdue and I think it merits a lot of support.”

“It’s been a long time coming and it's really good to see it here now,” said Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee (Con).

FHDC’s planning committee voted unanimously to approve the plans.