The mixed use facility on Memorial Field caused local controversy when it was first planned.
A four-year battle ensued with the proposed centre the subject of petitions and a local non-binding referendum.
Campaign group the Friends of Memorial Field, that was set up to block the town council development, also applied to Kent County Council (KCC) to designate the Memorial Field a Village Green, although the application was rejected.
Paddock Wood Town Council (PWTC) said It had ‘taken four years of hard work and dedication from councillor’s residents and staff, supported by Project Manager Jonathan White from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council along with other Borough officers and members’ to bring the project into fruition’.
Chairman of the Town Council Meryl Flashman said: “This is a much-needed facility for the town, which has not had a large community hall since the loss of the Parochial Church Hall, demolished in the 1960s.
“I give my thanks to all those who have enabled this dream to become a reality.”
The £3million multi-use facility will include a 40-place nursery, hall, car parking, and a 300-seat theatre/community hall.
The green building will be built by local firm Baxall Construction, who were named Net Zero Champions in July 2021, added PWTC.
The building will offer flexible hall space, café meeting room and a pre-school, partly funded by over £1million from developers, from the three housing developments currently under construction.
Paddock Wood Town Council secured the developer funding with help from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC).
Outside the building itself, the grounds will include two new Lawn Tennis Association-compliant tennis courts, a new cricket wicket and improvements to the pavilion.
Construction work should finish by late autumn.
