A planning application has been submitted for Gravesham Borough Council’s proposed replacement for Cascades Leisure Centre in Thong Lane, Gravesend.
The application follows a public consultation during which users, local residents and others were invited to say what they would like to see included in the new centre.
The application is for a new centre that would include:
- A 25 metre, eight lane main pool
- Training pool
- Aqua play splash pad area with water flumes
- Spectator seating and casual viewing areas
- Wet and dry area changing rooms
- Soft play and clip ‘n’ climb zone
- Café seating area
- Two squash courts
- Sports hall incorporating six 27 x 35 metre sports courts and retractable seating
- Fitness suite
- Spin studio
- Two multi-use studios.
Outside facilities would include:
- Children’s play area
- Active play area
- Outdoor gym and trim trail
- Tennis and netball court
As part of the council’s ambition to be a net zero by 2030, the new centre will aim for the highest environmental performance standards and will be around 13 times more efficient in terms of carbon usage than the existing Cascades, which is the second biggest emitter of carbon in the council’s estate after Gravesend Civic Centre.
Cllr John Burden, Leader of Gravesham Borough Council, said: “These are ambitious plans, both in terms of the provision of high-quality sport and leisure facilities, but also with regard to achieving the highest possible environmental performance standards.
“That has to be set against the fact that doing nothing about replacing the current Cascades would come at enormous cost. It’s an ageing building and maintaining it to the levels required for it to remain open to the public would cost millions of pounds alone over the coming years. And that’s before we look at carrying out any work to reduce its carbon footprint.”
Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure, said: “A replacement for Cascades is just phase one of our ambition in renewing our sports and leisure offer across the Borough.
“It is one of the cornerstones of our Sports, Leisure and Active Recreation Strategy to tackle the health inequalities that are so evident in our area and ensure we have an offer for our residents and visitors that allows for families and individuals to have fun but also to train and compete in a variety of sports right here in the Borough.
“Thank you to all those that have contributed to the consultation. “We have listened to leisure users and residents of the Borough throughout the design of the new centre and will continue to in this next stage, and I hope everyone will be as excited by the centre proposed in this planning application as I am.”
The planning application is expected to be determined at the March meeting of the council’s Planning Committee.
It can be viewed and comments left by visiting https://www.gravesham.gov.uk/planning-search and searching for reference number 20221293.