Kensington and Chelsea (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Kensington and Chelsea Council plans a new pitch at Henry Dickens Playground to boost winter play and reduce sports inequality in North Kensington.
The council’s planning application states that the field, called a PlayZone, will have two different shades of green macadam and be encircled by railings that are three meters high. For those outside the walled court, there will also be a secure place to stand.
It is anticipated that the pitch would have an electronic gate locking system that will be controlled by an online reservation system. Every day at 9 p.m., the field will close, and 30 minutes later, the floodlights will turn off.
According to two objectors, the pitch would cause additional light and noise to stream into nearby homeowners’ sitting rooms and bedrooms. They added that the space was originally intended for the estate’s families.
They wrote:
“We are not a ‘Public thoroughfare’! Tenants and Leaseholders pay service charges for this area; why should we pay for an area that would no longer be ours?”
Another wrote:
“This is a Housing Estate NOT A PARK residents homes are only a few feet away and already suffer the noise and peace of life of which they are entitled to have.”
The proposed floodlights, according to Kensington and Chelsea Council, are aimed down into the court and were intended to minimize light spill. They claimed that the proposal would stop big groups from congregating in the area at once and that it is only for one court.
Additionally, they claimed that the facility would lock after 9 p.m. and that the electronic gate locking system, which is controlled by an online booking platform, would limit the number of users at any given moment.
They wrote:
“As a result, noise levels are expected to reduce after 9pm, which is considered an appropriate measure to manage potential noise impacts on nearby residents.”
They also said the development would not “notably impact” on parking.
Currently a hard surfaced court, the location is sandwiched between two sizable residential buildings. In addition to the playground, there is a club room.
The Football Foundation, the biggest sports charity in the UK, created the PlayZone program. An application submitted to Kensington and Chelsea Council states that the program’s goal is to improve access to athletic facilities in the most underserved communities.
On Tuesday, August 12, the council will have a planning meeting to discuss the application.
How will the new pitch improve sports participation in North Kensington during winter?
The weather-resistant surface enables continuous use through winter, so children and adults can play sports without interruption.
The pitch’s quality and durability allow more frequent use, accommodating more players and teams, including informal play and structured activities.
By providing a reliable local facility, the pitch helps reduce barriers to sports participation for residents, especially for young people who may otherwise lack access to suitable play spaces in their neighborhood.
Encouraging more regular physical activity supports public health goals and fosters social connections across diverse community groups.