Mid Devon District Council says users of the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre will soon be able to enjoy a range of new state-of-the-art facilities including a much bigger fitness studio (gym) and a much bigger dance studio than those currently available at the centre. This will be achieved by converting the existing large but under-used sports hall.

However, badminton players and other users of the sports hall say they are "upset" at the plan to significantly reduce the size of the hall.

They have also said that there was a lack of consultation before Mid Devon's cabinet approved the enhancement scheme.

Badminton players said that on June 18, whilst playing badminton in the sports hall they saw a party of councillors and officials watching from upstairs.

One of the female players, who asks not to be named, said: "A fellow male player and myself went up and 'gatecrashed' the meeting.

"The conversation got rather acrimonious as it seems to be a 'done deal'.

"We were told we could be allowed three minutes at a meeting at Tiverton Town Hall on June 27 to put our case.

"Only one councillor said that he felt uneasy with the way the whole consultation process had been handled.

"Their attitude was 'There were bound to be some losers' - and that was us.

"We found their manner upsetting and defeating.

"They seemed to feel that we should not be angry and just accept."

The badminton players have written to Central Devon MP, Mel Stride, County Councillor Nick Way (Crediton Rural) and Cllr Frank Letch, the Mayor of Crediton, raising their concerns.

The badminton player added: "The application form for Zest cards (current price for Lifestyle Plus grade - the only sort that will enable us to use for Thursday morning badminton - is currently £330.75) continues to include badminton as being available at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre and when my car was bought in January no mention at all was made of any proposed alternation to facilities."

However, she added that she understands some groups registered as clubs had been given some information.

The complaints come soon after Crediton Swimming Club complained to Mid Devon District Council after it was told its rates to hire the town pool had increased by a third to more than £14,000 a year.

The swimming club said it felt "let down" by leisurebosses following the increase.

Councillors at Mid Devon's cabinet on Thursday, June 7 voted in favour of the major development project at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre.

It says the new facilities will include an impressive new fitness studio (330m2 or 3,552 sq ft) – which will triple the size of the current facility – providing more than 50 stations including 33 cardio-vascular machines, full air conditioning and integrated music systems.

There will also be a new, much larger bespoke dance studio space (157m2 or 1,690 sq ft) for dance and aerobics, with fully sprung flooring and air conditioning.

The council says having a total of three separate dance studios will enable the centre to offer more classes at peak times, including spinning classes.

Also, it will have a new multi-purpose room, which can be hired by outside groups.

Work is due to start by specialist leisure contractor ALS in early July, with completion due in mid-September.

The cost of the project is £370,000, which is expected to be offset over a five-year period by increased income from fitness and dance studio users.

Councillor Bob Deed, Cabinet member for Community Well Being, said: "With ever-increasing pressure on local authority budgets we have to make the best possible use of all our resources, including the three Mid Devon Leisure centres.

"Converting the sports hall will enable us to meet the demand we know is there for more and better fitness facilities and will put the space to the best possible use for maximum number of customers.

"We appreciate that some sports hall users will be disappointed and so where possible we are helping current users of the sports hall find alternative facilities or activities.

"As well as holding a meeting with clubs, societies and other centre users, we will also shortly be arranging a town meeting for the general public to hear about the changes at Lords Meadow."

The public meeting has since been arranged and will be held on Monday, July 9, beginning at 7pm at the Boniface Centre.

All are invited to attend and find out more about the proposals and express their opinions.

Speaking about the new proposed changes, Lords Meadow Leisure Centre manager Lee Chester said: "We passionately believe that the customer experience should be first class. This is a great opportunity to reward all the current members for their loyalty and the new facilities will offer a significant attraction to new customers."

At the full Mid Devon District Council meeting on June 27, consideration will be given to approving further enhancements to complement the development work already agreed.

This would include: improved changing areas and reception area; general "sprucing up" of other parts of the centre including new flooring, refurbished facilities in swimming pool changing area and redecoration; and the provision of some 30 additional car parking spaces to relieve pressure on parking and meet increased customer demand.

One Zest card holder said, "I am very excited about the changes at the centre, this will mean I do not have to travel to Tiverton and Cullompton to attend some fitness classes which are currently not available at Crediton, it is a common problem for some members."