Croydon Council reveals proposals for two new state-of-the-art football hubs

Croydon Council is moving forward with plans to bring two new state-of-the-art football hubs to the borough.

The proposals for two multi-million-pound community football facilities, one at Purley Way Playing Fields and one at Ashburton Playing Fields, were developed following feasibility work carried out last December.

Each site would benefit from two floodlit, full size artificial ‘3G’ pitches, a new changing pavilion with a café, community spaces, and toilets. On site car parking would be provided, along with enhanced pedestrian and cycle access.

Both sites would also benefit from enhanced children’s play spaces, and at Ashburton Playing Fields an indoor community fitness gym is included in the proposals.

The proposals were developed as part of Croydon’s successful bid for funding from Sport England and the Football Association (FA) as part of their Parklife project.

Parklife, a five-year commitment to build many multi-pitch hubs across towns and cities in England, creates sustainable community football hubs across the country, raising playing standards and providing more opportunities for everyone to enjoy the game, including young people, women and those with disabilities.

The £200million programme receives investment from the FA alongside the Government, Premier League and local partners and is delivered nationally by the Football Foundation.

If planning permission is granted then Croydon could potentially secure between £5m and £6m from the Premier League, Sport England and the Greater London Authority. The remainder of the costs, around £3m, would be funded locally, with possible funding from Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy contributions.

“It is great to see these proposals are taking shape and that Croydon is positioning itself to take advantage of this fantastic partnership opportunity.

“The performance of our national team this summer has given us something to be proud of, but we must ensure that grassroots football in boroughs like Croydon thrives, so that young people, as well as older generations, can enjoy sport and be active.”

Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport

 

The aim is to apply for planning permission for both schemes this autumn, with a decision anticipated by early 2019 and to have the new facilities open in 2020.

Council officers have already been speaking to residents close to the proposed sites and public drop in events will be held over the summer. For further information on the proposals, please visit www.croydon.gov.uk/parklife, which also includes a link to an online feedback form.

2018-07-25T15:24:29+01:00 July 25th, 2018|Recent news|