Cranbrook could be set to get a new bar and clubroom as part of facilities for the town’s sports hub – as the original plans for the site have been declared inadequate.

The sports hub at Cranbrook - known as Ingram's Field - has been up and running since May, five years after it was initially conceived, and this summer finally saw football and cricket played in the new East Devon town.

The 2014 application for the site saw a design and layout for a changing room building approved and five years later the developers are in a position to deliver it.

However James Brown, new community manager for Cranbrook, in a report to East Devon District Council's cabinet, says that while it would meet the historical obligations, that design is not appropriate for today's needs.

He is proposing that the cabinet backs plans for a bigger building consisting of six changing rooms, rather than four, and a family room, a bar and a clubroom.

Mr Brown said: "Not only would such a facility address the needs of the sports clubs/teams which could operate at the hub but it would also provide a very valuable community meeting space which is something that Cranbrook is currently severely lacking.

"It also has the potential to provide a facility that has its own income stream from room lettings, bar receipts to enable its future maintenance."

The original plans for the building do not meet the England and Wales Cricket Board requirements for changing room and pavilion requirements.

The report said the current plans are inadequate for football, failing to meet current minimum standards, although they can be used for entry level leagues, and would continue to be an asset drain for Cranbrook Town Council, having little or no income generating potential.

The developers have said that they would invest only their original budget towards the newly enhanced pavilion and would not meet any additional costs.

The cabinet will meet next Wednesday and is recommended to agree the council takes control of plot of land at the Ingram's sports hub, procure and project manage the sports pavilion and transfer the pavilion to the town council.