News: Honor Oak Park Sportsground Improvements

KCL Consults Honor Oak Residents over Sportsground Plans

Hidden away in Honor Oak behind Stillness School is one of Kings College's three sportsgrounds. It was opened in 1891 by Guy's Hospital and has pitches and facilities for a variety of team sports. Many of the facilities now need renewal and KCL has been consulting on the planned developments.

Part of the plans are for the restoration of two Brockley Rise houses, four more adjoining houses and the building of seven new terraced houses in a mews off Stillness Road. The latter have caused some local concern so we have, with the kind permission of KCL, reproduced some of the relevant presentation material used at their recent exhibition. It is hoped this will put it in context and enable local residents to form a balanced view.

The income from this small development would be used to part finance the £3.5 million improvement in sporting facilities and ground access as shown below.

The new two level Pavillion wil be the most striking feature within the grounds. This is planned to include changing rooms at ground level and social and viewing areas at first floor level. The proposed location will be further away from residential properties.

The new all-weather pitches would help KCL and the wider community to get the best possible use from the sports ground by extending hours beyond traditional winter daylight times and allowing after work use. Both pitches will look like natural grass from a distance and so preserve the green outlook of the ground.

The surfaces will be made to competition standard and use the latest illumination technology, which limits light to desired areas. Additionally the ground’s hours of use will be restricted, and will conform to council planning regulations regarding noise and light. KCL say the scheme will bring major benefits to the area without causing inconvenience to the local community. Examples of 'flat glass' luminations is shown below.