An award-winning tennis club has been granted permission to demolish it's "cramped" and "dated" clubhouse and build a larger one.

Maidstone Lawn Tennis Club has the greenlight to start work on the project, expected to cost up to £45,000, which also includes a new patio area for match teas.

The proposals were approved unanimously last week, on July 2, by Maidstone Borough Council's planning committee.

The 35-year-old club, in Poplar Grove, which has 200 adult and junior members, was named Kent Tennis Club of Year 2019 prize by the county's lawn tennis association.

Speaking about their current facilities in a planning statement, chairman Richard Dawson said: "The building is very small and cramped. It is dated and way past its sell by date with rotting timber, minimal insulation and no facilities for those with disabilities.

"It is a poor standard of accommodation for what is a successful, thriving, friendly and inclusive community run club."

Construction will begin on the new, modern clubhouse in spring next year and will include disabled toilets, a changing area, an improved kitchen and better seating.

It will be four metres longer than the current building and dark green.

There will also be a pitched roof "to deter youths climbing" on it.

Work on a paved patio with outdoor seating, to be used for kids' clubs and post-match teas, could be finished by the end of September.

The plans were met with enthusiasm by many club members.

Writing to the council, Michael Hoiles said: "The proposed clubhouse will facilitate the continued development of a very successful tennis club, both for the members and the local community."

Richard Ewence said: "This is a long overdue improvement and much needed for this thriving community club to bring us closer to the kind of facilities available in most of the clubs we play against, most of which are in village settings and serve smaller communities than Maidstone."

Ahead of the meeting, council officers recommended the plans for approval, arguing it would be "acceptable visually" and not result in undue harm to neighbouring properties.

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