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Replacement leisure centre for the Angel Centre in Tonbridge will be close by, promises Tonbridge and Malling council

Fears a town-centre leisure centre was about to be moved miles away have been allayed after more details of a multi-million-pound redevelopment project were unveiled.

Tonbridge and Malling council has announced that a replacement for the existing Angel Centre will be close to where it is now.

An artist's impression of the new look riverside development in Tonbridge
An artist's impression of the new look riverside development in Tonbridge
The Angel Centre in Tonbridge
The Angel Centre in Tonbridge

The council took the “in-principle” decision to demolish the centre back in December 2023. It was said that the Angel, built in 1981, was out-of-date and no longer fit for purpose. In particular, it did not meet modern carbon emission standards.

It was estimated a revamp would cost anything up to £14m.

Now the council says a new centre will be part of a major town centre redevelopment scheme that could include shops, a town square, new medical services, better access routes and an improved river frontage.

The announcement coincides with the launch of a survey to give residents and businesses a chance to share their priorities for the redevelopment of the area east of the High Street around Sainsbury’s.

The specific location for the new centre will form part of a “master-planning” process, which councillors are due to adopt in June.

Angel West car park will give way to the new scheme
Angel West car park will give way to the new scheme
How the new Tonbridge town square might look
How the new Tonbridge town square might look

The development area comprises council-owned car parks, the Sainsbury’s supermarket, a petrol station and the Angel Centre.

Council leader Cllr Matt Boughton (Con) said: “I know many people across Tonbridge will be pleased that we can confirm the replacement Angel Centre will be in a prime location close to the existing site.

“This will ensure that a modern hub for sport, leisure and community activities will be easily accessible and it will form a key element of our wider plans to redevelop this important part of our town.”

The council has launched a public survey to give residents and businesses the chance to say what they want included.

It asks people to rate what they value most from the town’s current offer and what they would most like to see more of.

Conservative council leader Matt Boughton
Conservative council leader Matt Boughton

Cllr Boughton said: “The survey is a vital part of the process so that we can design something that meets the needs of our residents, now and in the future.

“I’d urge everyone who cares about Tonbridge to get involved and share your thoughts and views with us.

“Help us bring forward the best proposals and shape our town for generations to come.”

The council has engaged design company Mace to drive the scheme forward and it has engaged the architects Periscope to bring forward the masterplan.

To take part in the survey, click here.

A map of the Angel development area
A map of the Angel development area

The survey runs until Sunday, February 16.

The council has promised that the Angel Centre will remain open until the new centre is up and running.

When the decision to demolish the Angel was first taken, there was some kick-back from residents, many of whom felt an emotional attachment to the building that had served the community well for four decades.

However, the centre is said to be on course to make a £265,000 loss this year.

The Angel Centre has been run on behalf of the council since 2013 by an independent non-profit-making body, the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust, operating as tmactive.

It consists of 11 voluntary trustees and also looks after Larkfield Leisure Centre, Tonbridge Swimming Pool, Poult Wood Golf Course, The Games Hut at Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground, Kings Hill Sports Park and Leybourne Lakes Country Park.

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