Plans to spend government cash on an adventure golf course have been slammed by a councillor who says his town deserves more.

Cllr Bill Tatton is waging a war against Swale council's £20 million bid for Whitehall's levelling-up funding.

The scheme, originally hyped as an all-singing, all-dancing boost to lift Sheerness with a new swimming pool, had to be cut back when consultants started adding up the costs.

It was submitted on July 28 and is now on the desk of Simon Clarke who was made Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities by new Prime Minister Liz Truss on September 6. He was previously Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Cllr Tatton (Sheppey East) is less than happy with what, if anything, the Island may get. He remains unimpressed with planned upgrades to the Healthy Living Centre – the GP surgery will be enlarged and moved downstairs and there will be a cafe - and there could be a new-look entrance to Beachfields for people arriving by train.

Sheppey College will be expanded into one of the council's car parks. The conversion of former council offices Master’s House into studios is also now part of the bid, as is soft play and a TAG Active obstacle course.

But Cllr Tatton's biggest criticism is reserved for the golf course.

"Call it what you will, it remains a crazy golf course whose success will depend on the weather," he complained.

The leader of the breakaway Independents First party – its other members are former Ukipper Richard Darby (Minster Cliffs) and ex-Tory Peter MacDonald (Sheppey Central) – said: "There is already a crazy golf course in Leysdown along with a par-three pitch and putt course plus, of course, facilities at Sheppey Golf Club."

Although Swale council launched a public consultation with a flourish at Sheerness East working men's club, few of the suggestions, like an all-tide paddling pool for Sheerness seafront, were taken up.

Cllr Tatton, of St James Close, Warden, claims none of his constituents living in Eastchurch, Warden or Leysdown received consultation forms. He says the upgrades will only benefit Sheerness residents as Islanders without cars will have trouble visiting the town.

He insisted: "My objective is that the money is spent upgrading the swimming pool and paddling pool. If there is not enough money, then the private sector should be approached, as Swale did for the Sittingbourne town centre regeneration when £60m was found. At least that way, we will be able to teach all Islanders an essential life-skill such as swimming."

He added: "If Swale council wants to talk about tourists and not just day-trippers then it should note where the holiday and caravan parks are. Few holidaymakers arrive by train these days."

Canterbury City Council has also submitted a £20m bid for the city for an innovation hub and railway station revamp and a separate £13m bid to develop Herne Bay into a centre for music around the King's Hall.

A spokesman for Swale council said: "We have put together a strong bid that meets the criteria the government set to be eligible for the funding.

"Our bid looks to improve health, education and leisure services in Sheerness. We now have ideas and plans to inform any bids for other funding that could become available in future.”

The council received 202 responses from the ME12 postcode, 17 from ME11 and 35 from other areas. Seventy-eight did not provide their postcodes.