Works Begin on Multi Million Health and Leisure Regeneration Project in Swale

The development is part of a wider £20 million Sheerness Revival programme, funded by the UK government, that will see the complete re-imagining of the Beachfields site.

Councillors from Swale Borough Council have been joined by Alliance Leisure and other community providers including a GP Surgery, Sheppey Matters, Swale Community Leisure and representatives from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to celebrate the start of enabling and outside development works in Sheerness that will breathe new life into health and leisure provision for the people of Sheerness at Beachfields.

Located near Sheerness town centre, the waterfront, and the train station on the Isle of Sheppey, once complete, the site will deliver outstanding modern, community-focused health and leisure facilities, improved education facilities and employment opportunities.

Cllr Monique Bonney, Chair of the council’s economy and property committee, says;

It is good to see a spade in the ground on this project. Working alongside Alliance Leisure, through the UK Leisure Framework, we have gathered a team of leisure development specialists to deliver this project including Etec as Principal Contractors, GT3 Architects and Varsity Consulting. This project will provide health and leisure facilities that will effectively serve the community for many generations to come.

The Beachfields site currently hosts a leisure complex, healthy living centre (including a GP surgery and local wellbeing charity), play area, paddling pool, and green space.

Works underway include enabling works and the redevelopment of the outside attractions including an adventure golf course, outdoor gym and enhanced landscaping connecting the leisure centre to Sheerness train station via improved pathways. These works are expected to complete by the end of July 2025 ready for the summer holidays, paving the way for the next phase which will include:

  • Regenerate Sheppey Leisure Centre: A reconfigured and extended facility featuring a new fitness suite, purpose-built studios, and upgraded changing facilities
  • Expanded GP surgery relocated and expanded within the leisure centre
  • New TAGActive zone and dedicated adventure play area, modern café and reception
  • Elimination of on-site gas use, replaced with energy-efficient air source heat pumps, ensuring compliance with biodiversity net gain requirements and supporting the council’s net zero targets

Chris Ames, Business Development Manager, Alliance Leisure, says:

This is a flagship development for the local community and one which has the potential to positively impact the lives of everyone living in Sheerness. Once complete, the modern leisure facilities will stand out as a jewel in the crown, attracting visitors not just from the locality but also further afield, driving economic growth and prosperity for the region. We look forward to working closely with Swale Borough Council to deliver this iconic project.

The £20 million Sheerness Revival project also includes an extension to EKC Sheppey College, which will expand educational opportunities in the area, and the refurbishment of former council offices and  conversion of garage space into creative workshops to foster arts and enterprise at Masters House. These government-funded projects, while separate from Alliance Leisure’s work, complement the redevelopment of Beachfields and collectively contribute to a holistic vision for Sheerness’s future through Swale Borough Council.

Works are expected to complete in July 2026.