Plans to axe a 156-year-old tree to make way for a tennis court in a park has been met with anger from residents.

Faversham Tennis Club, based at the town's recreation ground, has announced a proposal to extend its current courts to cater for growing membership over the past year.

To accommodate a fourth court, the private sports club is looking to bring down a 50ft horse chestnut tree that overlooks the facility.

But the news has been met with fury from a group of residents, who have accused the club of "elitism" and "destroying Faversham's heritage".

Ronnie Comfort, who has lived in Faversham for 78 years, told KentOnline of his long-running affection for the tree.

“My childhood was spent in this park," he said.

"We used to come out here as children and throw sticks up into the trees to get the conkers down.

“As an eight-year-old, I stole my first kiss under this tree.

“Some people say it’s got a slight disease. I think a majority of people have got disease but you don’t go and chop them down.”

Museum worker Peter Sean added: “We need more trees for all, not private clubs for the few.

“They can put an extra court in one of their members' fancy gardens, not in our public park.”

Volunteer tree wardens Sarah Deeson and Frances Beaumont lamented the potential loss of valuable green space at a time when Faversham is set to see more homes be built.

“This is just another step towards tarmacking over Faversham,” said Frances.

“Our central green areas are very important, the belt of housing is all around Faversham," Sarah added.

“As far as we know, it was one of the original trees. It’s part of the original plan.”

Faversham Town Councillor Eddie Thomas echoed calls for the club to scrap the plans, branding them “unnecessary”.

The Lib Dem said: “Both from a personal view and that of a Faversham councillor, I call upon Faversham Tennis Club to withdraw their application.

"These tennis courts are not freely available to the general public. Priority is given to club members when booking a court, it is not easy to book a court if you are not a member.

“The cutting down of this tree will not improve the ‘public amenity’ of the area, it will reduce the public amenity.

“We are in a climate emergency and the removal of this valuable tree is unnecessary.”

Members of Swale Friends of the Earth, a volunteer group passionate about creating a healthy natural environment, also spoke out against the bid.

Amanda Tresiger and Bernie Mothes, members of the charity, shared their views on the tree’s future demise.

“We believe that any planning should take trees, mature trees particularly, into consideration. They’ve taken years to get to this point of maturity,” said Ms Tresiger.

“In every stage of its life and in every season of the year, it will be important to biodiversity.

“Disease can be managed, it’s not a black and white situation.”

Mr Mothes added: “Even assuming it has a disease, a tree like this is capable of living another couple of hundred years.”

The horse chestnut tree is believed to have been planted in 1866, making it at least 156 years old depending on its age at the time.

Records show it was gifted to the recreation ground by Rev J.R Cooke.

The recreation ground itself falls in a conservation area, and was created in 1860 following a bequest by Henry Wreight and subscriptions from local townspeople.

The 20-acre park comes under the rule of Faversham Municipal Charities, who lease the ground to the council. They have agreed in principle to support the tree's felling.

At a meeting on Monday, Faversham Town Council confirmed its objection to the plans.

In its recommendation to the borough council, which will make the final decision, the authority said that “whilst the town council support improving recreation facilities, this should not be at a cost to the environment or the loss of a mature tree”.

It continued: “The removal of the tree would not benefit the general public who use the recreation ground. It would only be of benefit to the members of the club."

Announcing the plans on Facebook, a club spokesman said: “Faversham Tennis Club are pleased to announce plans to expand the number of courts at the site from three to four.

“As memberships for adults and juniors grows, it is important that we are able to continue to move tennis forward in Faversham.

“This full-size fourth court will help us continue to grow tennis for the local area and will facilitate our aspiration to use the power of sport and tennis to bring people together, to improve the health both mentally and physically in adults and children and to continue our tradition of opening up tennis for the benefit of everyone.”

The tennis club claims to have seen a 94% increase in junior members and a 24% increase in adult membership over the past year.

Plans have not gone in for the tennis clubs expansion yet, with the first step being to gain permission for the tree to be felled.

A spokesperson for the tennis club told KentOnline: “We do want to do what’s best for the environment, hence our plans to plant trees and pollinators in the recreation ground.

“But over the long run, we believe it would short-sighted not to go ahead with the tennis court.

"We are the heart of Faversham tennis and with new homes popping up all over the town, now is the right time to invest in the tennis club.

“We reject any claims of elitism, and hope that a new court will encourage people to continue to sign up and get involved.”

Faversham Municipal Charities was unable to provide a comment.