Greenwich Council has refused plans to demolish STC Sports Club in New Eltham and build 205 homes on the 9.4-acre site at Ivor Grove. The Planning Board meeting on July 21, packed with residents, erupted in applause after the unanimous rejection.
Council cites loss of sporting and community facilities
Greenwich planners recommended refusal because the development would result in the loss of "valued" sporting and community facilities, constitute "inappropriate development" on Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), and fail to demonstrate adequate sunlight for the homes. MOL is a London-specific designation protecting strategically important open spaces.
Eltham councillors Patricia Greenwell and Charlie Davis spoke against the proposal. Cllr Greenwell recalled her grandson learning to play football on the pitches, and Cllr Davis said it was "fantastic to see" so many residents voicing opposition.
Residents and action group argue against development
Seven residents spoke against the application, starting with Simon Trill of the STC Development Action Group, who argued that MOL protections alone warranted refusal. He noted that 19 teams had signed up to use the pitches next season, calling the loss "irrecoverable in the local area."
Laura Say, who lives next to the proposed entrance, described the site as "living, used and much loved as a community space." She said: "This ground is where friendships are made, where grandparents watch their grandchildren play sports, where neighbours meet by chance and become friends and where people are part of a community. Once that is gone, that cannot be recreated somewhere else with a cheque or a replacement building."
Support for proposal from bowls club
Leslie Crook, director and chair of King’s Bowls Club, supported the proposal, saying its 64 members would benefit from a new clubhouse. She stated: "In our opinion, this proposal represents an excellent opportunity to deliver much needed new homes while also securing the long-term future of an important community facility."
Philip Allin, a director at planning consultancy Boyer, acknowledged regular pitch use but argued they were on private land and not publicly available, requiring £500k investment. Planning Board chair Jeremy Fraser criticized Allin’s "threat" that football might cease on private land.
Applicant's proposed benefits and board's decision
Allin said the applicant offered a £4m package to improve other pitches across the borough on council-owned land. He argued that the 205 homes, half affordable, would help address the nearly 24,000 households on the council’s housing register.
The board voted unanimously to refuse, but Cllr Fraser warned residents: "We hope you as a community stay together to continue to be able to argue this. This isn't the end." As the scheme exceeded 50 units, it will be referred to the mayor’s office and the housing secretary, who can overturn the refusal.
