Eltham is set to benefit from new community sports facilities after Greenwich Council's Planning Board approved a proposal for the former Co-op sports ground on Footscray Road. The development will include floodlit 3G pitches, grass football pitches, a clubhouse, padel tennis courts, and a play zone, aiming to create a hub for local sports and recreation.
The Planning Board granted full planning permission for the project at a meeting on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, despite some local concerns about traffic, noise and the loss of trees. The development aims to address the identified need for improved football facilities in the borough, including more full-size 3G pitches. A community use agreement for the padel courts and 3G pitches will ensure the facilities are accessible and affordable for residents of all income levels.
Beth Lancaster, presenting the proposal to the board, highlighted the support from the council's sports and leisure team, noting that the development aligns with the council's playing pitch strategy. The addition of two 3G football turf pitches is welcomed and will contribute to alleviating the underprovision within the borough,
she said. Lancaster also mentioned the growing popularity of padel tennis and the limited number of courts in Greenwich, making the inclusion of padel tennis courts a valuable addition.
While the Planning Board approved the project, some members voiced concerns about the potential impact on local residents. Councillor David Gardner raised questions about transport, suggesting that the council should consider reducing the number of car parking spaces to encourage active travel. He also enquired about ensuring a pedestrian footway and safe cycle entry to the site.
Councillor Patricia Greenwell expressed concerns about traffic chaos in the area, particularly at the junction of Footscray Road and Green Lane. She questioned the effectiveness of a no-right-turn restriction and suggested that it might simply divert traffic into residential areas.
Noise from the padel tennis courts was another significant concern. Councillor Sandra Bauer, who had experience of padel tennis, noted that it is really noisy.
Paul Bains, a resident of Inka Dry Flats, expressed strong objections to the development, citing concerns about noise levels and light pollution. Joanne McKetry, another resident of Inka Drive, echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential impact on night shift workers who rely on daytime rest.
Specific noise level restrictions will be imposed on the padel tennis courts to mitigate noise concerns. Noise measured from the nearest noise-sensitive property must be below background noise levels. The details of the acoustic screen are still to be secured by condition, but the condition does require a certain acoustic level to be achieved, and that's going to be reviewed by environmental health officers.
Despite these concerns, the Planning Board included conditions to mitigate the impact on residents. These include an acoustic barrier around the padel tennis courts and restrictions on their hours of use. The board also required permeable paving for all hard standing and committed to securing more than 30 cycle spaces.
The applicant has committed to replacing 180 trees around the site to address concerns about tree loss. The applicant would also like to explore further as part of the BNG would be to work with local parks and open spaces to make sure.
Tony Russell, Director of Football at Greenwich Borough, spoke in favour of the development, emphasising the need to upgrade existing facilities and provide a home for local children to train and play. He highlighted the importance of creating a community spirit and giving young people a place to belong.
Brett Smith, Coroner of GP10 Sports, addressed the board, outlining the vision for acquiring the site and its future. He explained that the proposal was selected due to its community and social value footprint. Smith also committed to working with local residents to address their concerns.
To ensure ongoing dialogue and address any potential issues, the Planning Board added an informative requiring GP10 Sports to establish a liaison group with local residents to monitor the impact of lighting and noise from the padel courts.
With the approval of the Planning Board, the new community sports facilities in Eltham are set to become a reality, providing much-needed resources for local athletes and sports enthusiasts.
