A sports centre must sell off part of its golf course for housing amid looming council budget cuts, its manager said.

This month Folkestone Sports Centre awaits a planning decision on its bid to sell part of its golf course off Cornwallis Avenue, in return for 12 homes.

If approved, the Folkestone Sports Centre Trust, the registered charity in charge of the complex, will use cash generated from the sale to build an aerial assault course and ski-slope revamp.

This week sports centre manager Tessa Stickler said the decision, triggered by dwindling funds, “wasn’t taken lightly.”

“It is vital if we are going to move forward with providing something new for the community.

“It’s not the be all and end all if we can’t sell the land, we might just have to look at cutting some services.

“What a lot of people may not understand is we operate this sports centre as a charity and a trust, it’s not run by the council, we must find the funds ourselves.”

Ms Stickler added the trust’s annual £150,000 grant from Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) is set to be pulled in 2020.

The decision will force the trust to make up for the shortfall – and it hopes the aerial assault course and ski centre will boost trade.

Ms Stickler continued: “The high ropes assault courses are very popular. The ski slope is too, and the revenue we generate will help us make up for the money we won’t be receiving.”

Blueprints show the aerial trekking course would stand three-storeys high behind the sports hall, there would be a climbing wall and viewing area.

The 60 metre ski-slope and toboggan run would be revamped, with a new reception set up to accommodate more guests.

OSG Architecture's design statement, on behalf of developers Leath Park Ltd, a subsidiary company of building firm Jenner, says: “In order to finance this project, the trust intends to sell a small portion of the golf course and re-invest all the proceeds in this development.”

The twelve homes off Cornwallis Avenue would take over about a fifth of the golf course, according to Ms Stickler.

Alongside associated parkingthe houses will range from three to five bedrooms should plans progress.

A council spokesman said: "The funding was a five year agreement and it was to help the Folkestone Sports Centre Trust to maintain and grow their income by making improvements to the centre and continuing to deliver affordable sports and recreational activities to the community.

"The five year term comes to its scheduled end in 2020 but the possibility of future funding from the council has neither been confirmed nor ruled out."