Sandwich Town Council will write a general letter of support for Sandwich Sports and Leisure Centre Trust’s outline proposals to expand its premises.

The centre is proposing a 25m six-lane swimming pool with studios and therapy rooms, an artificial-turf sports pitch primarily for hockey but possibly for league soccer too, and car and coach parking on land next to its existing centre.

Councillors discussed the proposals at last Monday’s council meeting.

While Cllr Joe Trussler suggested the item should be deferred until draft drawings and plans had been submitted, Cllr David Wood disagreed.

He said: “The proposal is for general support.

“What we’re talking about is a commitment to the movement of supporting sporting facilities and housing in the area, both of which are needed.

“We’re being asked for general support, and I would wholeheartedly support it.”

Cllr Wood’s motion was seconded by Cllr Paul Carter, who added: “At this stage of the game they’re just asking for support. Do we support extra sport facilities?”

Seven councillors agreed they did and the motion was carried.

The letter could be shared by the Trust with planning authorities and funding bodies.

At the same meeting, the council was asked to consider submitting comments to Dover District Council’s informal ‘early stages’ consultation on proposals for a new leisure centre in the Dover district.

This centre would replace Dover Leisure Centre. Current plans suggest it will include a 25m eight-lane swimming pool, a 15m learner pool, a four-court sports hall, three squash courts, a spin studio and 250 parking spaces.

DDC is looking to identify land at Whitfield as the most suitable location because it is easy to get to from the wider district, and has space for future expansion.

Buckland Mill is a second potential location.

Cllr John Bragg noted that a leisure centre at Whitfield could be a threat to facilities in Sandwich,.

It was agreed that the town council would submit comments to DDC’s consultation expressing concern about the scale of the proposals and their effect on the Sandwich leisure centre.