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Temple is pleased to have successfully secured planning approval for a new state-of-the-art leisure and community building for the Royal Borough of Kingston.
Temple is the Planning and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consultant advising the Royal Borough of Kingston to deliver their ambitions for the Transform Kingston project. The new leisure and community building forms a significant part of the Council’s ambition to regenerate Kingston Town Centre.
The scheme was heard at Planning Committee on 26 May with committee members voting to approve the plans. The scheme replaces the former Kingfisher Leisure Centre which closed in December 2019.
The proposed development maximises the optimisation of the site, delivering an uplift in leisure and community facilities in a sustainable and accessible town centre location. The new leisure and community building will comprise two swimming pools with spectator seating, a children’s splash deck and climbing wall, 5-a-side rooftop football pitches, as well as a flexible community room and a café, amongst other facilities.
The high-quality design of the building seeks to respond positively to the site’s location in Fairfield/ Knights Park Conservation Area and complement its adjacency to the retained Grade II Listed Kingston Library and Museum. The proposed development will be accessible to all and significantly improve the existing landscape and public spaces on the site, including the enhancement of Fairfield Children’s Playground. Additionally, a new extension to the library and museum building will enable its continued optimal use encouraging greater use and appreciation of the library and museum by residents and visitors.
Leader of Kingston Council Andreas Kirsch said:
“Delivering this state-of-the-art, disabled-friendly leisure and community complex is one of our top priorities. We want all our residents to live happy, healthier, fulfilling lives, and having this fantastic facility right in the centre of Kingston, designed by award winning architects FaulknerBrowns, will help us achieve that ambition. I am also delighted that the new complex will link with the museum and the library celebrating our history and heritage.”
Alongside Planning and EIA, Temple ecology and arboriculture services were also instructed to provide advice which was integral through the design evolution of the scheme, whilst delivering supporting documents to accompany the planning application. Temple has worked collaboratively alongside Faulkner Browns Architects, Alan Baxter, Stace, Cundall, and Pre-Construct Archaeology.
Helen Allan Principal Consultant Planning at Temple said:
“Temple is delighted to have secured this planning approval which will reintroduce much needed leisure and community facilities to Kingston Town Centre.”
A video of the approved plans can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niVyLLhSLbU&t=1s
For more information visit: https://transformkingston.co.uk/