A boxing club fears newly granted planning permission will force them to close indefinitely.

Maidstone Amateur Boxing Club has been based at Heather House off Bicknor Road in Park Wood since 2018.

But now Maidstone council has plans which were granted in June to demolish Heather House and build a new community centre on the site.

Within the centre will be changing rooms, a sports hall, an office, a meet and greet area, and a kitchen in order to widen the potential use of the building.

Coach Joe Smith has been in constant contact with the council since Monday when he was informed of the possession notice but isn’t hopeful about the club’s future.

He said: “They [the council] told us they are going to seek possession in November and they have nowhere suitable on their books for us to go.

Joe says they need a boxing ring and other equipment set up permanently, so there is no chance they can use the new facility alongside other groups.

The club were first worried about their future in 2021 when the community centre plans were revealed.

Joe added: “We’ve known we were going for a while but I always thought we would be part of the future plans, seems that wasn’t the case.

“I think they’re washing their hands on us now which is a shame as there isn’t a lot for kids to do in Park Wood.”

Since 2018 the club has been running at Heather House and has grown to more than 150 members – 20 of which compete at competitive events.

The boxing club isn’t the only victim. The nearby pavilion, which is home to Weavering Warriors Boxing Club, is also to be demolished to make way for 12 houses.

The club, which has leased the building since 2019, previously explained how the plan to remove their home could ‘kill them’ but they are now more hopeful for their inclusion in the new community centre.

Chairman Dan Mason said: “We are one of a few groups hoping to be involved with the new centre.

“Nothing is for certain, but from the club’s perspective we have been told that as long as we contribute in keeping up the amenities of the building we should be able to use the new facilities.”

In the planning statement, it says the new storage and changing facilities will be “for the rugby club and other users”. Yet nothing has been stated about the boxing club

Joe continued: “I’ve just got a feeling we’re going to have to close. It seems the council doesn’t see the benefit of places like this.

“It’s a shame as I don’t know what can be done. I have asked if there is anywhere I can buy and I look everyday for units and places to rent. I speak with people constantly and ask for updates but it seems we’re just going in circles.”

A council spokesman said: “Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is about to undertake a redevelopment of the Heather House site to provide a new community facility.

“This means that the existing building has to be vacated. The new centre is intended to appeal to a wide variety of clubs and organisations, catering for all ages.

“MBC will seek to identify an operator for the proposed new community centre in due course, but at this stage no specific decisions have been made about how it will be used.”