A new sports organisation, which wants to transform a Ditton sports club into a centre of excellence, is set to launch today.

K Sports is setting up at the former Cobdown Sports and Social Club site at Ditton, investing heavily in upgrading the existing facilities for football, hockey and squash.

The proposals, some of which are yet to receive planning permission, also include extending the clubhouse and gym, adding two 3G pitches, three extra squash courts, and an exercise and dance studio.

Alan Dennington, K Sports chief executive, said: “The vision is to increase participation across a range of sports, fostering and encouraging excellence.

"The new artificial grass pitches will be hired out to local teams and community groups from Monday to Friday and used for matches and training at the weekend.

“The clubhouse, function suite and plans for a new restaurant will complement all sports sections and will be available for hire to the wider community.

“The K Sports target is to be ready for the start of the 2016-17 season, and we look forward to offering a warm welcome to friends old and new.”

A formal decision on the planning application was due to be heard by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Councill's planning committee last night but has been deferred until a later date.

Groups including Friends of the Earth, Kent Wildlife Trust, Kent Bat Group and the Environment Agency have objected.

But in the report to the planning committee, a Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council officer recommended the scheme go ahead.

Mike Parry-Waller, chairman of the area three planning committee, said: "I have looked at the application and in my view it is all good development. The site is already a sports field and everything there is deteriorating. We need this."