FARNHAM Town Council has added its weight to criticism of plans for a David Lloyd Leisure Centre which form part of Farnham Rugby Club's proposed relocation to Monkton Lane.
The council's planning and traffic committee agreed unanimously that the building, which measures 45 feet at the highest point, would be out of keeping with the surrounding area and should not be built on strategic gap land between Aldershot and Farnham.
Councillor Victor Scrivens explained: "The council is very supportive of the rugby club moving because it needs to expand and have better facilities, but as a town council we feel the David Lloyd centre would be out of keeping with the area and we remain extremely protective of the strategic gap.
"If it is seen as acceptable for one building to develop there, then more will follow."
The leisure centre is of a contemporary design and would be constructed mainly of glass.
The proposals include five indoor and six outdoor tennis courts, four badminton courts and squash facilities. A 25- metre indoor pool is also planned and parking for 260 cars has been allocated on the 8.5 hectare site.
The scheme would accompany facilities at the rugby club's prospective new site, which would include four new pitches, one of international competition size, a pavilion with a bar and crèche area and parking for 113 cars.
Although the company has pledged to minimise the building's appearance by planting semi-mature trees and positioning it back from the edge of the site to avoid impacting on residential areas, considerable concern remains among local residents.
They feel the proposal is too large for the area and further fears remain over floodlights and the impact of traffic which studies suggest could increase by 34 per cent in Monkton Lane.
Assistant town clerk (development) Nick Godard said: "The town council welcomes the relocation of Farnham Rugby Club, but objects strongly to the David Lloyd Leisure Centre being sited in the proposed location because it is on strategic gap and and would be visually intrusive.
"The council will suggest to the company that the centre could be sited on the adjacent piece of land on the southern side of Monkton Lane near to the sewage works, which is not strategic gap land. Our comments will be passed onto Waverley as soon as possible."
According to surveys by the Lawn Tennis Association, there is a high demand for tennis and leisure facilities in the area.
There are 21 indoor courts within Surrey, only one of which is in Waverley.
Farnham Rugby Club treasurer Andrew Rubio commented: "We're greatly encouraged that the town council can see the demand for the rugby club, but obviously concerned that they are opposing the David Lloyd centre because that's our enabler as we are in partnership with them.
"However, generally it is positive and we are confident we will overcome issues that have been raised."
Referring to the council's suggestion of siting the centre to the south side of Monkton Lane, adjacent to the sewage works, Mr Rubio added: "If the town council is not going to budge on the strategic gap issue then we will seriously consider this suggestion."
The rugby club's planning application is expected to be considered by Waverley Council's western area planning sub-committee.