Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) has released comprehensive design proposals and imagery for the new Angel Centre. Earmarked for the current Sovereign Way Mid car park, the development is the first project intended to deliver on the East of High Street Masterplan Framework. The vision for the site focuses on transforming underused land into a sustainable neighbourhood that reconnects the town with the river.
The project is being progressed by development partner Alliance Leisure Ltd, with Saunders Boston Architects responsible for the creative design.
Four New Internal Facilities and Amenities
The new leisure centre, to be operated by tmactive, will include several enhanced and new facilities based on previous public consultation feedback:
- Enhanced Gym and Immersive Cycling Studio: A dedicated studio using large-scale projections to provide an audio-visual workout experience.
- New Soft Play Area: A multi-level, mixed-ability area designed for children, including dedicated party space.
- Innerva ‘Active Wellbeing’ Suite: Specialised power-assisted equipment designed for older adults and those in physical recovery from conditions such as heart disease or musculoskeletal issues.
- Café and Social Space: Situated at the heart of the facility to serve as a hub for both users and non-users of the gym.
Architectural Design and Materials
The building’s exterior has been designed to reflect the local vernacular of Tonbridge. Key architectural features include:
- Materials: The use of red brick with sympathetic detailing, combined with feature rainscreen cladding in various panel formats.
- Living Wall: A prominent green wall located on a corner of the building to promote sustainability and contribute to a healthier environment.
- Active Frontage: The design avoids blank walls by using a mix of materials, brick banding, and extensive fenestration (windows) to animate the river edge and pedestrian routes.
- Natural Surveillance: The proposal maximises safety through plenty of windows, low-level planting, and lighting designed to eliminate glare and shadows.
Accessibility and Connectivity
The site layout focuses on inclusive access and site connectivity:
- Step-free Access: Two sloped access points connect the building to the public realm, leading to a level internal lobby and reception area.
- Permeability: The project follows the masterplan’s goal of subdividing large parcels of land to allow better pedestrian movement.
- Cycle Parking: Provisions for 36 sheltered cycle parking spaces have been made along key travel routes.
- Linear Park: The entrance is positioned along a proposed linear park by the river, intended to promote social interaction in the public realm.
Environmental Sustainability
A primary goal of the design is to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. To reach this standard, the building will utilise:
- Solar panels for renewable energy generation.
- Air source heat pumps for energy-efficient heating.
Project Timeline and Funding
The proposed timeline for the development is as follows:
| Date | Milestone |
| February 2026 | Designs shared with the public |
| March 2026 | Planning application submission |
| November 2026 | Proposed start of construction |
| Summer 2028 | Proposed opening of the new Angel Centre |
Unanswered Questions and Details for Clarification
While the design reveal provides a comprehensive look at the new Angel Centre, several specific details remain to be clarified or confirmed during the upcoming planning and consultation phases.
Floor Space and Comparative Scale
The exact total floor space in square metres for the new building compared to the current Angel Centre has not yet been detailed in the public release. Although council reports indicate that the Sovereign Way Mid site is “roughly comparable” in size to the existing facility and can accommodate a “full replacement,” a side-by-side a comparison of the two buildings has not been published in the preliminary designs.
Water and Energy Efficiency Statistics
The council has committed to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and will utilise air source heat pumps and solar panels. However, specific projected data regarding the exact water and energy savings of the new facility versus the current 1980s building have not been provided. Current descriptions highlight that the existing centre is “highly energy-inefficient” and a “huge drain on energy,” with the new design intended to drastically reduce carbon emissions and running costs.
Status of the Kids’ Creche
The existing Angel Centre houses a pre-school nursery and holiday club. While the new plans explicitly include a multi-level soft play area with party space to “foster healthy habits” in children, the documents do not explicitly state whether the dedicated kids’ creche or pre-school nursery services will be continued or relocated within the new structure.
Café vs Servery Labels
While the official description lists a “new café” as one of the four key additions, some design drawings and floorplans may use the technical term “servery”. It remains to be confirmed if the area marked as a servery is the intended location for the café or if the two terms refer to different functions within the social hub.
Do you have something you want to tell the Tonbridge Bean about our town? Write to us at tonbridgebean@gmail.com with your thoughts and photos!
Have you subscribed?
Get our weekly newsletter, including a curated list of events for the weekend, straight to your inbox.
Bringing you all the latest news and events in Tonbridge.
Leave a Reply