Council invites residents to discuss Kingston's proposed new playzones

Football Foundation backed PlayZones could be created across Kingston to "provide new safe, inclusive spaces for sport and recreation", says the council.

The authority added: "Leisure and physical activity play an important role in improving health and wellbeing, which is why Kingston Council is working with the Premier League, The FA, and the Government's Football Foundation to deliver four proposed PlayZones as part of wider investment in parks and open spaces across the borough.

"PlayZones are safe, inclusive and accessible outdoor facilities designed to bring communities together through activities like recreational football, basketball and cricket."

In line with the council's Active Kingston Strategy, four locations have been identified as sites for the proposed PlayZones. These are:

• Beverley Park (New Malden): Football and cricket
• Churchfields Recreation Ground (Chessington South & Malden Rushett): Football and basketball
• Kingston Road Recreation Ground (Norbiton): Football, basketball and cricket
• Manor Park (Motspur Park & Old Malden East): Football and basketball

The council is hosting a number of drop-in sessions where people can find out more about the proposals:

In Beverley Park:

• Wednesday 8 July – 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Saturday 11 July – 10am to midday

In Kingston Road Recreation Ground (In the Searchlight Community Centre, Hamerton Way):

Thursday 9 July – 5.30pm to 7.30pm

• Saturday 11 July – 1pm to 3pm

In Churchfields Recreation Ground:

• Wednesday 15 July – 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Saturday 18 July – 1pm to 3pm

In Manor Park:

• Thursday 16 July – 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Saturday 18 July – 10am to midday

People can drop by to find a variety of information, including links to the planning documents by visiting the dedicated PlayZones page on Kingston Let's Talk.

Funded through investment from the Premier League, The FA and the Government via Sport England, the Football Foundation's PlayZones Programme "aims to create high-quality community sports facilities and tackle inequalities in participation", the council said.

The Football Foundation has committed £975,000 towards the project (75%) with Kingston Council contributing £325,000 as part of its wider commitment to supporting more active communities.

Councillor Andrew Wooldridge, portfolio holder for leisure, economic development and planning policy and co-chair - place committee, said: "We are working with partners to create a thriving and active community to enable everyone to lead healthier lives, and these safe, inclusive spaces will make it easier for people of all abilities to get active.

"I am absolutely delighted that we have secured such a significant amount of money to potentially bring some fantastic PlayZones to Kingston."

The proposed PlayZones have been submitted to the Local Planning Authority and, subject to approval, the new facilities could be completed and ready for community use in 2027.

The PlayZones would be free for community use, but the council says it may consider charging commercial operators in the future, in a similar way to how charges apply to the hire of certain sports facilities and pitches across the borough.

The authority said: "This approach will help ensure the facilities remain accessible, inclusive and financially sustainable for long-term community use."

Members of the public can review and comment on the planning applications for each site by visiting the council's planning portal and using the following reference numbers:

• Beverley Park (New Malden): 26/00998/CREG3
• Churchfields Recreation Ground (Chessington South & Malden Rushett): 26/01000/CREG3
• Kingston Road Recreation Ground (Norbiton): 26/00993/CREG3
• Manor Park (Motspur Park & Old Malden East): 26/00996/CREG3

The proposals have received some opposition from locals regarding their location, and residents criticised the council for not having consultations with the community before the plans were submitted.

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