The site today

What is the existing use of the site?

The former Natwest Sports Ground was located on site from 1900 until 1998. Sports uses remained on site until 2007 but the site has remained unused since then. Given the lack of activity on site, it has unfortunately been subject in recent years to incursions and arson attacks. A 22,000 sq. ft sports pavilion fronts onto Turle Road but is in a poor state of disrepair. The former sports courts and pitches are overgrown and not usable. The Norbury Bowling Club are located on the south-east corner of the site and the proposals envisage the club remains at its current location.

Who owns the site?

Ruach City Church own the site. Over the last year, the Church has worked to find an established operator with a proven track record alongside local sports clubs who are able to breathe new life into Turle Road and bring back sport to the local community. Consultation was undertaken with national sports governing bodies and sports clubs which concluded in January 2023. This has led to the development of proposals on future sports uses on the site.

In addition, consultation was undertaken predominantly via local community groups in December 2022 and January 2023, which assisted in identifying new community facilities which can be provided on site.

Site proposals

What are the proposals for the site?

Over the last couple of months, an initial design concept has been designed for the site including the following elements:

• Sports Use - Following the conclusion of the marketing exercise, more formal proposals have been developed. The exercise identified positive responses from an experienced sports operator, governing bodies and local clubs representing Tennis, Hockey and Netball. The extent of their demand covers approximately a third of the site area. It is envisaged that links will be formed with local schools and community groups to ensure coaching and access to these sports is made available for local residents.

• Community Use – Comments from the community demonstrated support for chidren’s play space, community gardens, meeting spaces and public open spaces.

• Housing – The sports and community uses would cover 45% of the site area. In order to help subsidise these elements of the proposals, the plans include new housing including 40% affordable housing and a new care home.

How were the initial designs devised?

In advance of the design process the following aspects of the site’s context and character of the area were considered.

• Largely bordered by the rear gardens of adjacent houses.

• Immediate context made up largely of 2 storey housing with a 3 storey block of apartments and a school building of up to 5 storeys.

• Lack of publicly accessible green space in the immediate context.

• Predominant urban grain defined by terraced housing.

• Network of streets broken by the existing site.

• Proximity to good transport links.

• Few existing pedestrian routes

Sports Uses 

What sports uses are proposed on site?

The bowls green and club will be retained in their current location.

New sports facilities would be placed to the west of the site adjacent to neighbouring playing fields to reduce impact on residential neighbours. The initial design concept to accommodate the expressions of interest received would include:

• 2 AGP hockey pitches 

• 8 outdoor tennis / netball courts 

• 6 padel courts 

• 7 indoor tennis / netball courts 

• Changing rooms and sports centre 

• Associated parking

It is envisaged that 3.09 hectares (7.56 acres) will be designated for sports uses.

Will schools and community groups be able to use the facilities?

It is envisaged that the operator and sports clubs will support coaching in local schools and to allow use of the facilities by schools and the local community.  

New community facilities

Will there be any new community facilities provided?

The scheme has been designed with the Village Green at its heart to become a new destination for the site and the wider neighbourhood, with the potential café use to be provided. The Village Green is proposed to be 0.87 hectares (2.15 acres).

The concept includes a series of interconnecting green pockets and routes around site and a mix of play-space and ecological zones. New community gardens are proposed at the north of the site and a new destination play space (children’s playground) is proposed towards the south of the site. 

New housing

How many homes will there be on site?

In order to subsidise the cost of the sports and community facilities, the proposals include new housing on 55% of the site with 4.49 hectares (11.1 acres) allocated for residential housing.

It is proposed that this is made up of 147 houses – (22 x 2 bed, 81 x 3 bed and 44 x 4 bed) and 117 apartments (59 x 1 bed and 58 x 2 bed). Of the 264 homes, it is proposed that 40% will be allocated as affordable housing.

In addition, given the concept of multi-generational use, 0.25 hectares (0.62 acres) has been allocated for a care home.

How high will the buildings be?

The proposal is for the tallest buildings on site to be the care home and apartments which will be up to four storeys in height. 

Traffic and Parking

Will any parking spaces be provided on site?

The proposal allocates parking for the sports uses and care home. In line with planning policy requirements, each house would be allocated a parking space with 59 parking spaces allocated for the apartments.

Will a new vehicle through route be created through the site?

Pedestrian and cycle access is currently proposed via Lacrosse Way. Further work is being undertaken to confirm vehicle routes on site but it is proposed to include traffic calming on site.

Local infrastructure

Will a contribution be made to support local infrastructure and public services?

The development will be subject to a Community Infrastructure Levy payment to support local infrastructure. Contributions may also be delivered through a S106 Agreement attached to a planning permission for development or site specific improvements not covered by CIL related spending.

Construction

Will you restrict the hours in which construction takes place?

We envisage the local authority will ask for usual construction working hours to be adhered to from 8am to 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, with no working on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Prior to planning approval, the local authority will agree a construction management plan confirming arrangements for construction deliveries and works.

Next steps

How will you consider comments from the community?

Following the consultation events, we shall carefully consider all comments received. You can do this by completing a feedback form at our drop in consultation events. Alternatively, please visit the feedback page and complete an online feedback form, which will be available until 9th June when the consultation will close. 

Who will make the decision on whether these plans go ahead?

It is envisaged that a planning application will be determined by the councillors who sit on the London Borough of Merton’s Development and Planning Applications Committee, based on the recommendations in a report to them written by their professional planning officers. 

What are your proposed timescales?

Following feedback, any changes to the proposals and the commission of detailed planning reports, an application would be submitted during the summer. Dependent on their timescales, this may allow the local authority to determine the application by the end of the year to allow work to start on site in 2024.

What should I do if I have further questions?

If you would like more information or have specific queries regarding the proposals, you can 

• Submit an online form 

• Telephone us on 0800 998 7200

• Write to us at FREEPOST, COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

Copies of the consultation boards are on the Proposals page, and you can leave feedback here.