OBJECTIONS have been raised by the owners of the Kingfisher Centre to plans for a new fitness club in Greenlands which they believe will harm the vitality of the town centre.

Councillors at a planning and transportation meeting last night were due to discuss whether to give the go-ahead for Esporta Plc to convert the Megabowl building, Greenlands Drive, to a health and fitness club.

The application was originally approved by the planning committee in September, before the consultation period had been completed.

But a further objection from Thornfield meant the application had to be considered again.

The firm believes the scheme would harm the vitality of the town centre, where it has decided to build a health and fitness club in the Kingfisher Centre.

Director Peter Young said: "This is an important issue when it comes to the stated aims of Thornfield and the local authority for rejuvenating the town centre.

"There is not enough depth to support two of these facilities.

"Leisure facilities should be concentrated in the town centre where they are accessible to young people."

John Scribbins, property manager for Esporta, said: "This will still be a leisure facility, which is what it is designated for.

"We have no doubts that Redditch can indeed support two such facilities."