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Sports plan could mean bigger common
This illustration shows the part of Tooting Common that could be home to some new much-needed sports facilities.
If the plans proceed then the Woodfield Recreation Ground, which is currently cordoned off from the common by a high fence, would be formally added to it. This brings a net increase to the common of 7,171 square metres.
One current idea, which if it were to proceed would be subject to detailed public consultation, is to replace an existing One O'Clock Centre and ageing playground that already stand on the common with updated and improved facilities. An existing floodlit all-weather sports area would also be replaced with ten modern all-weather five-a-side football pitches plus changing rooms.
Executive member for environment and leisure Malcolm Grimston said:
We are publishing these plans so that local people get an idea of what is being discussed.
If the plans proceed as we envisage, then the common would increase in size quite significantly. It would also mean that local people would benefit from a greater range of sports and leisure facilities. And parents, young people and toddlers would also be able to use a modern and refurbished One O' Clock club and playground.
However, because a piece of common land may be required to fit in all the sports and leisure activities we want to provide, we propose replacing that with the much larger Woodfield Recreation Ground. This would formally become part of the common and would benefit from the planting of suitable flora to enhance the common's overall biodiversity.