A sailing club based at Kent’s largest reservoir is likely to call in administrators after being left unable to pay rent it describes as “untenable”.

Bewl Valley Sailing Club, which operates at Bewl Water in Lamberhurst, said it could not afford the £160,000 a year rate and was technically insolvent.

The club has advised its members to remove its boats from the site as soon as possible and said it has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.

It said an appeal for a rent-free period had been rejected by its landlord Bewl Water Boating Limited, which is controlled by West Ham co-owner David Sullivan, who also owns the company with the head lease of Bewl Water.

Instead, vice commodore Trevor Spink told members the club had been served with a demand for three months rent, instead of the usual monthly agreement, which was payable today.

Mr Spink said: “My view is that given the intransigence of the landlord, it would appear that he has no desire to see the club continue, and he possibly has other plans for the site.

“We feel it would be prudent to assume the landlords actions in recovering their debt will be as hostile as the law permits.”

The club’s future will be discussed at an extraordinary general meeting on Sunday, after which White Maund are expected to be appointed as administrators.

Bewl Water declined to comment as the sailing club still owns the leasehold.