The most recent design for a new leisure centre in Kingston town centre will continue to the next stage of development after a council vote last night (14 March).

A more detailed plan will now be produced by contractor Alliance Leisure, costing £2.59m to design.

The committee will vote on the resulting plans before construction commences.

Cllr Alison Holt, deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for economic development and leisure said: "I think we're on a much more sound footing."

"The overwhelming thing people are saying is they just want it to be completed and done," she added, with the need for planning permission "the only proviso".

A number of councillors raised concerns with the £44.9m Kingfisher replacement despite all those present voting for its continued development.

Cllr Ian George expressed concerns with the way contractors for the project were being selected "considering the deep trouble we got ourselves into in previous years".

The councillor said a document not made available to the public described how candidates were assessed using a criteria that prioritised social value over cost-management or relevant experience.

"If we can get extra social value, of course we all want that," said Cllr George.

"But, with something as big as this, and as expensive as this, with such a history, to belittle the benefits of cost management and relevant experience is frightening, quite frankly."

Kingston town centre has been without a leisure centre after the Kingfisher was closed in 2019 over a £5m repair bill (Photo: Nub News)

Kingston Council officer Matthew Essex said the criteria was consistent with public procurement regulations, and was applied to all council purchases.

Mr Essex reported social value was 20-percent of the criteria, while the remainder covered "the professional competence and experience of the firms".

There were comments about the certainty surrounding the project's estimated cost, initially raised by ex-Lib Dem councillor Jon Tolley and followed by councillors Andrew Bolton and Yvonne Tracey.

Cllr Tracey said she was worried the new plan would be a repeat of the previous scheme, which would have been nearly £35m over budget.

"I know it's the past," said Cllr Tracey, "but it is a crying shame that [the Kingfisher] was demolished before a viable scheme was put in place, and I do have grave doubts that this scheme will be delivered within the budget that the council can afford.

"I just hope that I am proved wrong."

Mr Essex explained the limitations with project estimates at this early stage.

"We don't have crystal balls. If I was able to access [the exact budget] I would be doing something else right about now," he remarked.

Mr Essex continued: "Will it be enough? I don't know. [But] with the way that inflation is going at the moment [...] We're hopeful. We're optimistic."

The officer assured councillors the plans will be presented to the committee before construction begins once "a definitive project sum" is reached.

Council officer Siddiqa Islam added that "in addition to the £1.5m contingency in the budget, we also have an amount for inflation and contractor risk allowance".

More to follow.