Plans to expand a water park with a new training lake and campsite have divided residents.

Whitemills Wake and Aqua Park, in Sandwich, is pitching for the additional facilities just one year after first opening, following a successful summer.

If approved, the site in Ash Road would build a new shallow artificial training lake to provide a space for beginners looking to take up wakeboarding, which sees riders attached to a board, and towed by a motorboat.

The body of water would be 1.5 metres deep and sit to the right of the current wakeboarding lake, just above the site's car park and inflatable aqua park.

Bosses also hope to turn a patch of unused land into a campsite with 23 pitches for tents and touring caravans, and seven for static caravans. A single-storey block with toilets and showers would also need to be built, along with an extra 31 parking spaces.

They say it will help accommodate people traveling to Sandwich from further afield, with prices ranging from £10 to £135 per night depending on the time of year and length of stay.

However, residents have voiced concerns over the plans, fearing the campsite could cause noise in the evenings.

Charlotte Eddolls, who lives near the site, said that bringing in overnight accommodation would “cause noise pollution and distress for our family”.

“There have already been a number of instances since their last opening day in 2022. The perpetual bass from the music in the evening is carried across the fields and the music in general is very loud and continues until late at night,” she explained.

Deborah Newman feared music from the park.

She said: “I support this aqua park and the caravans and tents but object to any late night music due to the surrounding properties and their privacy and to be allowed a peaceful life.

“I think any music after 8pm should not be allowed. We have loads of music in the town already that I heartily support.”

Another feared the accommodation would bring “noise and rubbish” onto the park.

Responding to the application, Kent Police recommended CCTV in the communal areas of the campsite and a management plan for security.

If approved, the plans would create seven more jobs, and several residents spoke up to praise the park’s impact on Sandwich.

Chris Upton described the park as “a wonderful addition to Sandwich and the local region”.

“It brings in much needed employment and tourism, [and] is also a world class venue that attracts World Class Athletes into our town,” he added.

“I have visited the site many times and always found the staff and site users to be impeccably polite and courteous with the noise levels minimal onsite and non-existent once off site.

“I am a local resident in Sandwich and have used the cafe, aqua park and wakeboarding; my children and I will continue to use the facilities in the future and look forward to the proposed expansion.”

Planning documents prepared in support of the application, say on-site accommodation will create job opportunities and stimulate the local economy.

Whitemills has been contacted for comment.