An application to bring a new adventure golf facility and cafe to a town centre has been submitted.
The plans, which aim to enhance an existing leisure and healthy living centre, come as part of a council’s £20 million revival project.
Swale council, which is behind the plans, is also hoping to build a new two-storey side extension and create a new main entrance to Sheppey Leisure Complex in Sheerness.
The local authority is also requesting permission to create a new cafe area and external landscaping works, including a new outdoor adventure golf facility, and the creation of a new footpath between Sheerness train station and the leisure complex site.
In April, residents in the seaside town were given the chance to have their say about the transformation of the healthy living centre at Beachfields, as part of the town’s multi-million-pound Sheerness Revival Project.
The scheme’s aim is to create new job opportunities while improving the health, wellbeing, education and leisure facilities on the Island.
It is being funded by the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
When the plans were first revealed there was disappointment from some who said they did not go far enough.
For example, many people had called for the swimming pool to receive a revamp.
In 2022 architects working for Swale council revealed that Islander’s were likely to get an adventure golf course and a cafe instead of a new much-hyped swimming pool.
At the time Cllr Bill Tatton slammed the council’s plans and said his town deserved more.
The scheme had to be cut back when consultants started adding up the costs.
However, despite the criticism the council has moved forward with its plans and on Friday, June 7, it submitted its application to the planning portal under the reference code: 24/502130/FULL.
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The council’s planning statement reads: “To the east of the leisure complex is an area of underused grass space, which is bordered to the east by the Sheppey Swimming Pool building.
“The plans include the transformation of this grass space, into an outdoor Adventure Golf Facility.”
Its hours of operation are yet to be confirmed.
Swale council’s planning statement continued to explain: “The existing building has been remodelled and extended throughout its lifespan but is increasingly showing signs of age and deterioration.
“It is proposed to retain the majority of the building envelope with a major internal refurbishment proposed to provide enhanced leisure, health and community facilities.”
The west side of the building, which currently houses the gym and spin studio, is to be demolished.
This is to allow the construction of a new two-storey extension which will provide a new frontage and entrance onto the park which will include a cafe, large gym and studio space.
The proposed plans continue to utilise the existing access for the leisure centre from Delamark and Royal Road, however, Swale council aims to create a new main entrance from the west.
This is to redistribute the main flow of movement away from the existing entrance and promote an improved connection between the site and the nearby train station.
The planning application is currently pending consideration.
