Kingston Council has been forced into a u-turn after it was revealed plans for a new sports pavilion would breach a 107-year-old covenant.

Khalsa Karate Confederation got the green light to build a £620,000 two-storey building with a cafe and two sports halls on Latchmere Recreation Ground in north Kingston last May.

The land is subject to a covenant dating back to 1904, which states the pavilion must be linked to sporting activities on the recreation ground.

The old pavilion, torn down in 2008, was used as a changing room for a cricket club and little league football played on the grounds whereas the latest plans were for sporting activities inside the building.

Despite concerns from experts Kingston Council was confident the plans did not break the 107- year-old legal agreement describing it “a big step forward for the community in the area”.

But having taken advice from the legal team Kingston Council has been forced to abandon the plans.

It is not yet known the cost of the decision on the pavilion build, which has been in the planning since 2009.

A spokesman for Kingston Council said: “This will undoubtedly come as a great disappointment for the many residents that supported the plans for a new community pavilion but the covenant ties the council’s hands."

David Cunningham, Conservative councillor for the ward, said: “While there have been objectors there has also been a lot of public support from the community and groups such as the Little League Football who would have directly benefited.”

Judith Pottinger Tudor Area Residents’ Association Kingston chairwoman said she was “shocked and amazed” at the council u-turn.

She said: “We wanted a pavilion on that land but what was being proposed was far too intrusive.

“It is a great shame because everyone involved in this has worked really hard but this proposal clearly did not meet the legal requirements laid out under the covenant.

“They have taken their time but eventually come to the correct decision albeit slowly which shows they are doing their job correctly.”

Satinder Sehra of the Khalsa Karate Federation said: “I am very disappointed that the club will no longer go ahead.

“It is a real shame for the community as many people were very enthusiastic about the club and facilities we were going to offer.”

The council said the £60,000 that had been ring-fenced for the pavilion would be used for future developments on the site.

The council confirmed the temporary structure, currently being used for changing facilities, would remain in place.