Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme opens doors to a new era of sport and events

Larkfield Leisure Centre in Aylesford makes a splash and celebrates new low-carbon heating system 

A major decarbonisation project at Larkfield Leisure Centre in Kent has reached an important milestone with the installation of new air source heat pumps.

The new system, means the centre’s 25 metre fitness pool, is no longer reliant on energy from gas fired boilers with the temperature of the water and pool hall being managed by a new cleaner, greener heating and ventilation system.   

Our Salix team joined a special celebration alongside local and government representatives and members of the community.

Thanks to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, as well as wider investment, the centre is transitioning towards a lower-carbon future, including new energy-efficient technologies and the replacement of fossil-fuel gas heating with a more sustainable alternative including air source heat pumps. 

The move to cleaner, greener air source heat pumps will help reduce carbon emissions and support Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s commitment to making its leisure facilities more sustainable, energy efficient and carbon neutral.

As well as offering a better environment for local people, the upgrade will also help protect the centre from the financial volatility of the global energy markets.  The air source heat pumps can be operated using clean energy from the 600 solar panels which have also been installed on the centre roof over the last 18 months.

The project received a grant award of £1,164,760 from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and a further £370,000 from Sport England to fund energy saving measures including additional solar roof panels, energy efficient LED lighting and improvements to the roof insulation. It also received additional funding through the Business Rates Pool Shared Growth Fund - cash provided to support local projects that benefit local communities and help the Kent economy to grow.   

During our visit we got a chance to meet local people who use Larkfield every day.

Business owner Niki Burkitt has used the centre every day or the last ten years. She joins classes, swims and uses the gym. She said: “This place is a huge part of my routine; it helps me build strength and fitness as well as having a lovely social side.

“It’s an important part of our lives here.”

Retiree Mark Bell visits at least four times a week and more in the winter months. He has used Larkfield for the last 35 years.

He added: “If this wasn’t here, I would be gutted. It’s the making of us.”

The project received a grant award of £1,164,760 from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and a further £370,000 from Sport England to fund energy saving measures including additional solar roof panels, energy efficient LED lighting and improvements to the roof insulation. It also received additional funding through the Business Rates Pool Shared Growth Fund - cash provided to support local projects that benefit local communities and help the Kent economy to grow.   

During our visit we got a chance to meet local people who use Larkfield every day.

Business owner Niki Burkitt has used the centre every day or the last ten years. She joins classes, swims and uses the gym. She said: “This place is a huge part of my routine; it helps me build strength and fitness as well as having a lovely social side.

“It’s an important part of our lives here.”

Retiree Mark Bell visits at least four times a week and more in the winter months. He has used Larkfield for the last 35 years.

He added: “If this wasn’t here, I would be gutted. It’s the making of us.”

He believes that the centre and its sustainability plans offer an incentive and inspiration to local people to also think more carefully how about they use their energy.

He said: "I'm part of this energy revolution, I have installed solar, batteries and now drive an electric car. I am saving money and it’s also about doing the right thing.”

The centre, which is operated by tmactive on behalf of the council, could save hundreds of tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Environment and the Economy Cllr Robin Betts, said: “This is a change that may not be visible to users but has been an important project for the council and marks a significant step in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions across our leisure facilities. 

“By investing in modern, low-carbon technology we are helping to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which is important for the future of our environment, our leisure users and our residents.” 

The centre boasts a range of facilities, water flumes and lazy river. It is the borough’s busiest pool, with 189,000 visitors coming to swim in 2025 and 738,000 visitors to the leisure centre in total. 

The new heating and ventilation system will play an important role in supporting the long-term operation of the facility, which hosts school swimming lessons, club swimmers and leisure swimmers of all ages.   

Chief executive of tmactive Emma Wood said: “The fitness pool at Larkfield Leisure Centre is incredibly popular with the local community. Local people value the quality of the facilities available and that includes our sustainability and energy efficiency credentials. We are delighted that this new system is now installed and operational.”

Client relationship officer Zoe Wragg from Salix was at the opening. She said: “It’s amazing to see what has been achieved here in Kent.

“It’s clear that this project is a huge investment in the future, in the local community and the teams who work here today and tomorrow.

“As well as this, the community now has a more energy efficient site which is future-proofed for the generations to come.”

Centre user Niki added: “This work offers us huge improvement, and local people do care very much about the centre.”

The completion of the heat pump installation is part of a wider programme of decarbonisation work across the council’s leisure estate. In 2024 at Tonbridge Swimming Pool 140 solar panels were installed to help generate renewable electricity on site, while plans are progressing for a new low-carbon Angel Centre in Tonbridge. 

Thank you to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council for inviting us to join your celebrations. Congratulations on the project.