Wembley's Temporary Football Pitches and Events Venue Approved with Free Community Access
An indoor events venue and five 5-a-side football pitches are set to be constructed on a Wembley site designated for future housing, following approval from Brent Council's Planning Committee. The facilities will operate as a temporary "meanwhile space" for up to three years, providing free or discounted access to local schools, community groups, and charities before the land is redeveloped for residential use.
Regeneration and Temporary Use Plans
Quintain, a major landowner in Wembley Park, has been leading regeneration efforts since 2004, with planning permission to build up to 8,500 new homes on 8.8 million square feet of land. Over 4,700 homes have already been completed. With residential construction not expected to begin until 2029, the developer plans to utilize three plots of land—previously the Yellow Car Park at the intersection of Fulton Road, First Way, and Engineers Way—for interim community and leisure purposes.
At a recent committee meeting, Quintain's Head of Planning, Brett Harbutt, emphasized that the proposal aims to transform a vacant tarmac area into beneficial temporary uses for sports and family entertainment. The site will be divided into two plots: one for outdoor sports and another for an events venue.
Sports Facilities with Free Access
Plot 1 will feature five all-weather, floodlit 5-a-side football pitches and a pavilion with reception, changing rooms, and toilets. The pitches will be open to the public from 8am to 10pm daily. To ensure accessibility and affordability, one pitch will be available free of charge during specific times for local schools, community groups, and charities.
- Free priority use from 10am to 12pm and 2:30pm to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
- Free access from 10am to 12pm on Sundays.
This initiative is designed to support grassroots sports and community engagement in the area.
Immersive Events Venue
Plot 2 will host a 12-meter-high demountable leisure, entertainment, and events venue. It will include an immersive, family-friendly exhibition called Mundo Pixar, allowing visitors to step into life-size sets from Disney Pixar films such as Toy Story and Monsters Inc. The venue will also feature food and beverage outlets, retail spaces, and toilet facilities.
Operating daily from 8am to 9pm, with public access starting at 9am, the venue will stagger visitor arrivals, allowing up to 200 people every 30 minutes with an average stay time of 70 minutes. Quintain stated that this space will enhance Brent's cultural offerings, with discounted tickets for local residents and free tickets for schools and charities.
Temporary Nature and Sustainability
The facilities are intended for a temporary period of up to three years, though a break clause in the lease could shorten this to one year. All structures, except the astro turf due to its limited lifespan, will be dismantled and recycled after use. Further details on public realm improvements are expected in the coming months.
This project represents a strategic use of land during the interim period before housing development begins, prioritizing community benefits and sustainable practices in urban planning.
