At the heart of the development will be a single story pavilion containing changing facilities, multi-function café space and a small office. The site will also include a fully inclusive play area along with a multi-use games area, football and cricket pitches.

Activities

The site will be fully inclusive offering a range of activities, including wheelchair rugby, girls and women's football, cricket for all ages and abilities as well as family events for the wider community.

Financial support

The Royal Borough has had significant financial support in the development of the project, with funds from London Marathon Charity Trust and Sport England. The cost of the project will be around £1,434,133 and will be met predominantly with external funding, with the Council putting in £1 for every £3 secured elsewhere.

The additional support from the London Marathon Charitable Trust will go towards improving drainage for the playing field and new cricket squares.

Building works

There will be minimal disturbance for residents during the building phase as the pavilion is being made in a mould away from the site and will then be assembled at Hervey Road in stages.

Works to the grounds have already started and the development is expected to be fully operational in summer of 2018.

'A local sporting facility and green space for residents to enjoy'

Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald, Culture, Creative Industries and Community Well-Being, said: "The site has been underused as a sports facility for a number of years and has also been prone to illegal encampments, which has caused disruption for local residents and to the Council in terms of enforcement to leave and clearing up of detritus left by them, so these works will help secure the site from further encroachment, but, more importantly, provide a local sporting facility and continued green space for local residents to enjoy.

"We fully recognise the importance of the Hervey Road playing field to the local community and that's why the Deed of Dedication protects the site as a playing field for them, and ensures that residents will still be able to access the playing fields to play informal games and go for walks."

Find out more about the Deed of Trust regarding the playing field at Hervey Road