Replacement leisure building at Tides Leisure Centre, Park Avenue, Deal

What is proposed

A two-storey leisure building would replace the existing pool, with six swimming lanes, a children’s water area, fitness facilities, a café and a link to existing buildings.

“Planning permission is sought for the erection of a two-storey leisure building (including indoor swimming pool, fitness suite, studios, changing facilities and cafe) with link to existing sports hall and tennis centre complex, with associated landscaping works, following the demolition of the existing pool.”

“The new building will be constructed within the same footprint of the demolished building and will facilitate a new pool to accommodate six swimming lanes, a children's water area (splash pad), wet changing rooms, Wc’s, showers cafe/pool viewing area, cafe seating area, lobby area, reception/servery, alongside the rooms to facilitate the pool at ground floor level. At first floor level, two studios, a spin studio, fitness suite and changing rooms are proposed.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The site is an established leisure complex in Deal, and the existing pool closed in March 2025 after reaching the end of its operational life.

“The application site encompasses a total site area of 0.642 hectares and includes the existing swimming pool (with permission to be demolished) and the existing sports hall to be retained.”

“The existing swimming pool building was closed to the public on the 16 March 2025 due to the building reaching the end of its operational life span and the associated deterioration of the facility. Further detail regarding the decline of the swimming pool and building is provided later in this report.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered a sports hall, sports-centre extension, tennis-court covers and fencing works, while pre-application advice concerned demolition and redevelopment.

“PE/25/00047 – preapplication advice for the demolition and redevelopment. DOV/ /98/00998 -Erection of sports hall – Granted. DOV/97/00877 - Extending the perimeter fencing by the addition of 0.45m fence cranking at 45 degrees from the existing top to an overall height of 3.3m – Granted. DOV/97/00326 - Erection of extension to sport centre to cater for dry side activities as clarified by the applicants' letter dated 2 May 1997 and revised plans received on 12 June 1997.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Sport England supported the proposal, while other consultees raised requirements about drainage, contamination, highways, ecology, security and construction management; Deal Town Council had no objection.

“Sports England – Supports The site is not considered to form part of or constitute a playing field as defined in The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 (Statutory Instrument 2015 No.595), therefore Sport England has considered this a non-statutory consultation.”

“Deal Town Council – No objection Third party Representations: - a total of 133 comments have been received, with 55 objecting and 76 writing in support, these are summarised below. Objecting • Should be more child focused. • Poor value for Council Taxpayers money. • Deal doesn’t need another 6-lane swimming pool, there is one in Dover. • Lack of fun pools in Dover District. • Less things for children to do.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Principal Planner explained the updated BNG position, the facility’s need and construction arrangements; Councillor M J Nee proposed approval.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to the listed planning conditions and delegated authority to settle any necessary conditions.

“RESOLVED: (a) That Application No DOV/25/00666 be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:”

“(b) That powers be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development to settle any necessary planning conditions in line with the issues set out in the recommendation and as resolved by the Planning Committee.”

Minutes