Kingston PlayZone

The Football Foundation has alerted us that the current planning application for the Manor Park PlayZone has been withdrawn. 

We are in contact with the Football Foundation and will update this page with further information as soon as possible.

Visit the Kingston Planning Portal at: 

https://publicaccess.kingston.gov.uk/online-applications/

You can then search using the relevant application reference number below:

• 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

Once viewing the application, you can use the "Make a Public Comment" function to submit your feedback.

Throughout July, the Council hosted eight drop-in sessions for the community to find out more about the proposed Playzones.

These events were intended as an opportunity for the community to learn more about the PlayZone programme, answer questions and discuss the proposals with Council officers. Two drop-in sessions were hosted at each park; Beverley Park, Kingston Road Recreation Ground, Churchfields Recreation Ground and Manor Park.

It is important to note that the drop-in sessions were not part of the formal planning consultation process. All formal comments on the planning application must be submitted via the Planning Portal.

If you have any further questions about the proposals, please get in contact by emailing leisure@kingston.gov.uk.

Yes. The PlayZones are designed to be inclusive, accessible community spaces. The combination of bookable sessions and open access periods ensures that:

• Individuals can drop in and use the space
• Groups can plan and book sessions in advance
• Priority groups are supported to access the facility

The PlayZones will be accessed through an online booking system, similar to the existing park tennis booking system currently used across the borough.

The booking system will help ensure fair and equitable access for residents, community groups and sports clubs, while also enabling the council to manage demand and monitor usage of the facilities.

All PlayZones will incorporate Smart Access technology, including:

•  An online booking platform
• Controlled access systems, such as keypad entry

This approach will help ensure the facilities remain secure, well managed and available for those wishing to use them.

The operational model is expected to include a combination of:

• Bookable sessions for residents, community groups and clubs
• Opportunities for informal and community use

Research from the Football Foundation shows that a booking system can help improve access for a wider range of users, particularly those who may be less confident attending without knowing that space is available.

The intention is that the PlayZones will be available free of charge for community use, enabling local residents to access the facilities for informal sport and physical activity.

The Council is currently developing the detailed operating arrangements for the PlayZones, including how bookings will be managed and how the facilities will be maintained. Whilst no decisions have been taken regarding commercial pricing, it is anticipated that charges may apply to commercial operators, organised coaching sessions or structured activities where appropriate.

Any future charges would be limited to these types of commercial or organised uses and would not be intended to prevent community access. Further details will be developed as part of the operating model and communicated in due course.

As the operating model is developed, we would also welcome feedback from local residents and user groups on the types of activities and community uses they would like to see supported through the PlayZone. This will help inform how the facility is programmed and managed to maximise community benefit.

As community use is intended to be free, the Council is not currently proposing a concessions or discount framework. However, ensuring accessibility and inclusion remains a key principle of the PlayZones programme and this will continue to inform the development of the operating model.

The Council may consider charging commercial operators or organised activities in the future, in a similar way to how charges apply to the hire of certain sports facilities and pitches across the borough. Any such arrangements would be developed to support the ongoing management and maintenance of the facilities whilst protecting community access.

The PlayZones will be managed and maintained through the council’s parks contractor, Glendale. This includes day-to-day operational oversight, routine inspections, cleaning and maintenance, ensuring the facilities remain safe, high-quality and sustainable over the long term.

Bookings will be managed through a digital platform (Clubspark, working with the Football Foundation), which will allow:

• Tracking of individual bookings and usage levels
• Reporting on group sessions (e.g. type of activity, age group, gender participation)

This ensures the PlayZones are being used as intended and are reaching priority groups.

The safety and accessibility of PlayZones has been a key consideration throughout the design and planning process, in particular the safety of women and girls. The approach has been informed by recognised national guidance, including Sport England’s Active Design principles.

Key measures include:

• Design and visibility – PlayZones are enclosed to create a defined activity space; however, they use open mesh fencing to ensure clear visibility into and out of the area. This aligns with best practice to avoid hidden or enclosed spaces.

• Location and natural surveillance – Sites have been selected in well-used, visible areas with good footfall and clear sightlines, supporting natural surveillance and helping users feel safer.

• Lighting – Where floodlighting is included, it will ensure the space is well-lit during operational hours, in line with guidance highlighting the importance of lighting in improving safety and the perception of safety.

• Inclusive access and programming – The PlayZone model, supported by the Football Foundation, is specifically designed to increase participation from underrepresented groups, including women and girls. This includes a mix of open access and bookable sessions.

• Management and oversight – Booking systems and management arrangements will help ensure appropriate use of the space and support a safe and welcoming environment.

• Ongoing engagement – We will continue to engage with local communities, including women and girls, to understand any concerns and refine how the spaces are used and managed.

Overall, the aim is to create active, visible and well-managed spaces that feel safe and welcoming, in line with national best practice for community sports facilities.

The proposed lighting is designed to enable safe use of the facility during darker months of the year and will use modern LED technology. The lighting will be focused onto the playing area and designed to minimise light spill beyond the facility boundary.

The floodlights would not be on continuously. They would only be used when the facility is booked or programmed for use during hours of darkness and would be controlled in line with the agreed operating hours.

The lighting design forms part of the planning application and will be assessed through the planning process. Hours of operation and lighting controls will also be subject to planning consideration and any conditions imposed as part of any planning permission.

The PlayZone is intended to support a wide range of sports and informal physical activities rather than being dedicated to any single sport.

The proposed sports and surface specification were developed through the Football Foundation's PlayZone process, which included a local needs assessment and community engagement.

The Council is not currently proposing to remove any of the approved sports from the facility. However, the PlayZone is designed to be a flexible community asset and we will continue to consider how the facility can support a broad range of activities, including basketball and netball, through its operation and programming.

Any significant changes to the approved sports specification, markings or surface would need to be discussed with the Football Foundation and assessed against the approved funding requirements, costs and deliverability implications. The Football Foundation has worked collaboratively with the Council throughout the development of the proposals to accommodate local requirements where possible, and any further changes would need to be considered with them before they could be progressed.

At this stage, no final construction programme has been agreed.

Before any PlayZone can be delivered, the Council must first conclude the planning process and consider any planning conditions that may need to be discharged. In addition, the Council will need to consider the outcome of the current engagement process and any decisions required in relation to the proposed sites.

Whilst funding has been secured for the project within this financial year, it is unlikely that all four PlayZones would be constructed simultaneously and a phased delivery programme may be required. The sequencing and timescales will be confirmed once the necessary approvals have been obtained and the final scope of the project has been agreed.

In general, the Football Foundation has advised that, based on experience from other sites, construction of a PlayZone typically takes around 10 to 12 weeks.

The Council remains committed to delivering the PlayZone programme and will communicate a more detailed delivery timetable once these matters have been resolved.

The PlayZone planning applications will follow a standard local authority planning process. The anticipated timeline is as follows:

• May 2026
  Submission of planning applications

• May - June 2026
  Validation of applications by the planning authority and publication for consultation

• June - July 2026
  Public consultation period, including opportunity for residents and stakeholders to comment

• July - August 2026
  Assessment by planning officers, including consideration of:

  • Planning policy
  • Design and location
  • Environmental and community impacts
  • Review of valid objections

• August - September 2026 (anticipated)
  Determination of applications

• Post-determination

  • Discharge of any planning conditions
  • Final mobilisation and delivery planning

• Following approval
  Implementation of the PlayZones and continued engagement with Members and the community

We are committed to keeping local residents, stakeholders and ward councillors informed as PlayZone projects progress.

For each site, we will:

• Install site notices to raise awareness of proposals and any planning applications
• Use the council’s website, newsletters, networks and social media channels to share updates
• Directly contact key local stakeholders, including Friends groups, ward councillors and relevant community organisations
• Provide opportunities for further engagement, including meetings where appropriate

This approach is designed to ensure that residents have clear, accessible information and opportunities to engage at each stage of the project.

A pdf version of the Community Engagement Results Summary, carried out in 2024 by the Fulham FC Foundation on the Council's behalf, is available in the 'Files' section of this page.

Total Responses Received: 304

Question 1: Who are you filling out this form for?

• Myself – 50.6%
• My child – 45.3%
• Organisation (e.g. coach, teacher, carer) – 1.9%
• Other responses – less than 1% each

Key message: Responses were primarily submitted by local residents and parents on behalf of children.

Question 2: Gender

• Male – 64.2%
• Female – 33.1%
• Prefer not to say – 2.3%
• Prefer to self-describe – 0.3%

Question 3: Age Range

• 12–17 years – 39.1%
• 0–11 years – 21.2%
• 40–59 years – 19.5%
• 26–39 years – 11.9%
• 18–25 years – 5.0%
• 60+ years – 1.7%
• Prefer not to say – 1.7%

Key message: Over 60% of responses related to children and young people.

Question 4: Ethnicity

• White – 53.5%
• Asian / Asian British – 12.7%
• Black / African / Caribbean / Black British – 12.4%
• Mixed / Multiple Ethnic Groups – 9.4%
• Prefer not to say – 6.0%
• Arab – 3.3%
• Other Ethnic Group – 1.3%

Question 5: Do you have a disability?

• No – 86.1%
• Yes – 11.3%
• Prefer not to say – 2.6%

Key message: Respondents highlighted the importance of ensuring PlayZones are fully accessible and inclusive.

Question 6: Do you live in Kingston?

• Yes – 73.5%
• No – 26.5%

Question 7: Where in Kingston do you live?

Highest response areas:

1. Norbiton – 14.9%
2. New Malden Village – 11.2%
3. Tolworth – 10.0%
4. Hook & Chessington North – 8.6%
5. Kingston Town – 7.8%

Responses were received from across all areas of the borough.

Question 8: How active are you currently?

• Very active – 46.2%
• Quite active – 33.2%
• Average – 15.7%
• Not very active – 4.9%

Key message: Almost 80% of respondents described themselves as active or very active.

Question 9: What sports and activities would you like to take part in on a PlayZone?

Most popular activities:

1. Football – 259 mentions (22.4%)
2. Basketball – 127 mentions (11.0%)
3. Fitness / Exercise – 126 mentions (10.9%)
4. Tennis – 104 mentions (9.0%)
5. Cricket – 76 mentions (6.6%)

Other activities included volleyball, netball, athletics, skateboarding and general recreation.

Question 10: Who would you prefer to take part in sport and activity with on the PlayZone?

• Friends – 37.1%
• By myself / independently – 21.7%
• Family – 12.8%
• Community groups – 10.8%
• Other activity users – 7.9%
• Sports clubs – 2.5%

Key message: Social and informal use with friends was the strongest theme.

Question 11: What day of the week would you like to take part in sport/activity?

Most popular days:

1. Saturday – 19.8%
2. Sunday – 17.1%
3. Friday – 15.2%

All days received strong support, indicating demand throughout the week.

Question 12: What time of day would you like to take part in sport/activity?

• Afternoon – 40.4%
• Evening – 36.8%
• Morning – 22.8%

Key message: Afternoons and evenings were the preferred times for activity.

Question 13: Where would you most like a new PlayZone facility?

• Dickerage Recreation Ground – 22.4%
• Kingston Road Recreation Ground – 16.3%
• Manor Park – 15.9%
• King George's Playing Fields – 11.0%
• Churchfields Recreation Ground – 9.0%
• Beverley Park – 6.1%
• King Edwards Recreation Ground – 4.9%
• Not sure – 25.3%

Question 14: Would you prefer the PlayZone to be open access or have a formal booking system?

• Mixture of both – 49.7%
• Open access – 26.7%
• Formal booking system – 17.3%
• Not sure – 6.3%

Key message: Residents favoured a hybrid approach combining open access and bookable sessions.

Question 15: Would you be willing to pay to use the facilities?

• Up to £5 – 42.1%
• No – 21.5%
• £5–£10 – 18.5%
• Not sure – 15.6%
• More than £10 – 3.0%

Key message: The largest group indicated they would be willing to pay a modest fee, although maintaining affordable and accessible provision was important.

Question 16: What would you need from a new PlayZone facility?

Most requested features:

1. Toilets – 215 mentions
2. Good lighting – 186 mentions
3. Organised activities – 165 mentions
4. Benches/seating – 140 mentions
5. Coach/instructor support – 120 mentions
6. Close to public transport – 108 mentions

Question 17 & 18: Additional Comments

The most common themes raised were:

• Safe and supervised facilities
• Good lighting
• Accessibility and inclusivity
• Toilets and changing facilities
• Community spaces and seating
• Organised activities and coaching
• Food and drink facilities
• Desire for facilities to be free or low cost
• Strong support for the PlayZones programme

Overall, respondents were overwhelmingly positive about the introduction of PlayZones and the opportunities they could create for local communities.

Overall Conclusion

The survey demonstrated strong support for PlayZones across Kingston. Residents highlighted a desire for safe, accessible and well-managed facilities that support both informal recreation and organised sport, with football, basketball and fitness activities emerging as the most popular uses