A virtual meeting will be held to decide the fate of a £20m leisure centre redevelopment.

Sevenoaks Council is due to make a final decision on plans to replace White Oak Leisure Centre in Swanley live on its Youtube channel tonight from 7pm.

Council chiefs had cancelled most meetings but have vowed to press ahead ahead with proposals to construct the new build on the existing site.

A decision to knock down the 53-year-old leisure centre comes after the building was deemed to be "reaching the end of its serviceable life" due to its age and condition.

The major development has been split into three phases, starting with the construction of the new leisure centre, scheduled to begin this May, followed by the creation of a new build and car park by May 2022.

Up to 40 apartments will then be built on the Hilda May Avenue site as part of the final phase, varying between one, two and three-bedroom flats.

If approved, they will be two to three storeys high and include on-street parking.

The impact of Covid-19 and the funding of the project was discussed at a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday.

A report found a delay of one year would push costs up by £919,000 but suggested progressing with additional construction safety measures would minimise any financial impact and risk.

Although it was conceded this would see the phase 1 completion date of November 2021 put back by approximately three months.

The council is proposing to fund the project through a mix of Community Infrastructure Levy funding, borrowing and capital receipts from council-owned assets in Swanley.

However, it noted the uncertainty in the property market caused by COVID-19 may have an impact on receipts and alternative funding could be sought.

If built the replacement leisure centre would include a six-lane 25m main pool, a two badminton court sports hall, three studios and a large fitness suite.

But some members at the current leisure centre are dissatisified with the proposals which they say do not offer good value for money.

Primetime, the fitness club for over 50s which meets three mornings each week, expressed "fury" and said the new centre could not be considered a replacement.

Regular users Derek and Lynne Sutton set up a community group to represent the interests of different club members, of which some are GB internationals.

A petition with more than 2000 signatures will be presented to the meeting tonight.

They have costed two alternative plans which would see the pool and "wet facilities" updated but the existing sports hall retained at a lower cost.

"What they are proposing does not make sense," said Derek.

"Usually councillors are asked to spend more money, but the 2000 plus signature petition is saying the opposite"

The club member said they were not against the redevelopment of the site in principle but urged the council to be more flexible on its existing proposal.

He added: "Usually councillors are asked to spend more money, but the 2000 plus signature petition is saying the opposite.

"Don’t waste £20m when spending millions less will give the people of Swanley and Hextable more facilities."

It comes as certain sports teams fear they will be squeezed out of the centre following a reduction in sports hall space and facilities.

One of those is Highgate Diving Club, which lays claim to being the oldest diving club in the world having been set up in 1928.

It currently has 70 members across various age groups and abilties and has been the spring board for successful careers leading to appearances at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Ian Cunningham who runs the club, said: "We are a successful club with a great future ahead of us provided we have a diving pit at the White Oak Leisure Centre going forward. We are naturally proud of the club and cater for all ages and ability.

"The Sevenoaks District councillors should be fighting for the future of our club and for local people of Swanley and its catchment area, because it is so successful and beneficial to so many members and users."

In response to concerns amid the Covid-19 outbreak the council said it had been offering support to sports clubs.

A spokesperson said: "We are advising sports clubs who are facing financial difficulties to apply to Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund.

"A total of £195 million of Government and Lottery funding is available for organisations who are experiencing short-term financial hardship due to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis."

It added it had included plans to accomodate users at nearby Orchards Academy in Swanley in its proposals.

The council is in discussion with the primary school to fund improvements and these have been included in the new leisure centre construction costs.

They say this could house netball, roller hockey and other sports that require a larger space.

But club members said this fell considerably short of the quality and size of resources needed.

Derek Sutton said "a dirty, unheated school hall" that did not have any clubs using it and was not accessible during the day was not plausible.

The full council meeting takes place tonight from 7pm.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford

Read more: All the latest news from Sevenoaks