Heat pumps to provide clean energy for clubhouse
Tonbridge and Malling is set for further reductions in leisure facility carbon emissions after securing funding for air source heat pumps at a popular golf centre.
The Poult Wood course, located just outside Tonbridge, will see its ageing oil fired boilers replaced by the latest in air source heating technology. The new system is forecast to cut carbon emissions by around 37 tonnes a year.
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, which owns the centre, secured a grant of nearly £210,000 from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The scheme is delivered by Salix and run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The council will also be making a contribution of more than £28,000 towards the project.
The investment follows similar schemes at Larkfield Leisure Centre and Tonbridge Swimming Pool where a mix of solar power and modern heat pumps are being installed as the council works to decarbonise its leisure facilities. It is also working on plans to replace the Angel Centre in Tonbridge with a modern energy efficient building nearby as part of a town centre redevelopment scheme. All the council’s leisure facilities are operated by its partner organisation tmactive.
The Poult Wood project will kick off with a procurement exercise later this year to identify contractors to carry out the installation which is expected to start in summer 2026.
In addition to its leisure centre projects, the council is taking a range of other measures to cut carbon emissions. These include retro-fitting insulation to homes, the installation of electric vehicle chargers in car parks and developing an active travel strategy to encourage walking and cycling.
Cllr Robin Betts, the council’s cabinet lead on climate change, said: “Securing this funding is a real achievement and takes us a step closer to our goal of making our leisure facilities carbon neutral within the next few years. It also gives us greater protection against the ongoing volatility of world energy markets, safeguarding our leisure facilities for the long term.
“With improvements at other centres already underway and a new facility planned for Tonbridge we’re delivering on our pledge to be leaders in providing high quality, energy efficient leisure centres for our residents.”
Director of Public Sector Decarbonisation at Salix, Ian Rodger, said: “We have no time to waste in reducing our carbon emissions as we fight to save the planet. Climate change is here and we see the impacts every day.
“We are pleased to be working with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and supporting them to make their facilities carbon neutral over the next few years. The Poult Wood course is a popular local facility and as a result of the decarbonisation works local people will not only end up with a greener and more energy efficient building, but also one that is more comfortable to visit and enjoy.”