OPPONENTS of plans to turn a yacht club into a community sailing centre have failed in their bid to stop the project.

A motion of no confidence, put to a special general meeting demanded by members at Erith Yacht Club, off Manor Road, has been narrowly defeated.

The margin of nine votes was the same as the vote to proceed with the project, taken at the end of August.

The club is at the centre of a £2.3m grant meant to provide a lasting sporting legacy from the 2012 Olympic Games.

Members at last Thursday’s meeting claimed such a drastic change in the club demanded a two-thirds majority in favour.

One opponent said: “We have never discussed the principle of this change, which will see the club virtually under the control of Bexley Council.

“Members will inevitably lose control and the club, as it is today, will disappear.”

Others were concerned the necessary legal agreement with Bexley will make the club financially liable for any extra costs or overruns in the project and could allow Bexley to take over or even sell the club, its clubhouse and site.

The grant, administered by Bexley Council, will transform the club with a new on-land clubhouse and facilities intended to open up sailing and training opportunities to people of all ages and abilities.

But the plans have split the 108-year-old club.

It owns its current site and clubhouse, a former Norwegian car ferry, and employs no staff, as volunteer members do all the necessary work.

Opponents say the grant will transform the club into a business, run as a community sailing centre, providing sailing instruction and opportunities for schools and community groups and a field study centre for the management of the Saltings — one of the last remaining areas of saltmarsh in London.

Speaking after the meeting, Paul Gladdon, the club’s project committee chairman, said: “Club rules say a two-thirds majority is needed for a rule change and what we are discussing is not a rule change.

“The project could have a dramatic effect on the club, which probably makes it more important than a rule change and therefore should be treated in the same way. But the committee’s view was this is not the case.”

Mr Gladdon added: “We hope now it will be full steam ahead with the project.”