A water sports and inflatable Aquapark attraction is to be built on the outskirts of Sandwich.

Permission was granted for the scheme at North Poulders field in Ash Road, alongside the A256, by planning authority Dover District Council.

It has been hailed for the visitor and tourism benefits it could bring to east Kent.

The green light was given last Thursday.

The scheme was put forward by Hume Planning Consultancy and images for the Aquapark section have been provided by Aquaglide, the company that supplies the equipment, and Kudos Architectural Design.

Sandwich Town Council had backed it in January.

Speaking today(Tuesday), mayor Cllr Paul Graeme said: "Despite it being out of character with the medieval town which people were worried about, it will be a boost to the tourism economy which is always welcome in Sandwich."

Computer Generated Images (CGIs), published to the council's planning portal, indicate the cost for the 32x21m Aquapark inflatable area would be around £46,761.

A site plan shows a reception building with ancillary uses, cable pulley system, inflatable aqua park and storage units, parking, landscaping and formation of a new site access from Ash Road.

Despite the excitement, neighbours were almost split down the middle over it.

The district council received 52 objections from people living nearby, with one comment saying it would be "out of character with medieval Sandwich".

Another said the development "should go to Dover/Ramsgate/Margate instead, where there are more young people; encouraging young people to the area will bring noise, vandalism and theft".

Others said it was is too close to housing, would bring noise and disturbance, cause traffic problems and affect wildlife.

The council also received 46 letters of support with people saying it was a welcome addition to sports provision in the area.

It was said it would complement other attractions such as Betteshanger Country Park in Deal.

Others said it would bring economic benefits and boost Sandwich and that the plan was a good design and well laid out.

The decision comes ahead of next month's opening of a 75-bed Travelodge hotel at nearby Discovery Park. This is to be done in time for The Open, which returns to Sandwich on July 11 following a postponement last year.

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