Planning permission approved for new £20 million Angel Centre in Tonbridge

A major step has been taken towards the redevelopment of Tonbridge's leisure facilities after councillors unanimously approved planning permission for a brand new Angel Centre.

The decision, made at a full council meeting on Tuesday evening, moves the long-awaited project a stage closer. However, the scheme is not yet fully confirmed. A final decision on whether construction can proceed is expected at a Full Council meeting on 20 October 2026 (updated from an originally scheduled 14 October date).

If approved, the new Angel Centre will be built on the Sovereign Way Mid Car Park site, replacing the existing leisure centre, which has served the town for more than 40 years.

The proposed centre has been designed to provide a modern, accessible and energy-efficient community hub alongside the River Medway.

Plans include:

• A children's soft play area and party rooms
• A public café
• An immersive spin studio
• A larger gym with upgraded equipment
• Three flexible community studios capable of hosting meetings, classes and larger events
• Step-free access throughout the building

The council says the design has been shaped by feedback from residents and existing Angel Centre users during two rounds of public consultation. One request that received strong support was keeping the well-known Angel Centre name.

Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Tonbridge Regeneration, Cllr Adem Mehmet, described the project as a significant investment in the future of the town's leisure and community facilities.

The development is expected to cost around £20 million. If it receives final approval in October, construction is scheduled to begin later this autumn, with the new centre expected to open in 2028.

The announcement has prompted a lively debate on social media.

While many residents welcomed the investment and described the project as an exciting addition to Tonbridge, others questioned whether replacing the existing building is necessary, suggesting refurbishment could have been a more cost-effective option.

Some also asked what will happen to the current Angel Centre site once the new facility opens, while others raised concerns about public spending and the environmental impact of demolishing and replacing the existing building.

The discussion reflects the scale of the project, which will be one of the biggest investments in Tonbridge's leisure infrastructure in recent years.

Residents can read more about the proposals on the Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council website: Planning permission for new Angel Centre gets the go-ahead.