Plans for a town’s new state-of-the-art leisure centre have taken a step forward.

Tonbridge and Malling council has released its preferred location for a new building to replace the existing Angel Centre in Tonbridge.

A report going before the council’s cabinet members on April 1 recommends that the new centre should be built on the Sovereign Way Mid Car Park, a stone’s throw from the existing centre.

The 118-space car park’s central location should provide easy access for users, whether travelling by public transport, on foot, cycling or by car.

There is other extensive parking capacity nearby, around the Sainsbury’s store and in the Sovereign Way North and East car parks directly opposite the site.

However, the car park does currently serve as the location for the monthly Tonbridge Farmers Market, which would be obliged to find different venue.

The council said it holding discussions with the market operator to find an alternative.

The design of the new building is not yet confirmed, but it is expected to include a gym, sports hall and community spaces.

The council hopes a new Angel Centre would be up and running by 2028, but in the meantime the existing Angel will remain open.

Robert Styles is the council’s director of street scene, leisure and technical services. He said: “We have a great opportunity to provide a state-of-the-art health and leisure facility for Tonbridge and in a very convenient location.

“Our goal is to deliver a high-quality destination that people can use in a variety of ways, whether it’s going for a workout in the gym, participating in team events in the sports hall, providing fun activities for children or simply popping in for a coffee.

“We see it as a positive investment in the health of the community that will be good for residents and great for the local economy.”

“We have appointed Alliance Leisure Ltd as the council’s development partner to progress the project through the design and planning stages.

“In tandem with the leisure centre project, global design experts, Mace, and architects, Periscope, are currently developing a masterplan for the redevelopment of the wider area east of Tonbridge High Street to include the old centre site.”

The Angel was built in 1981 and is now considered no longer fit for purpose.