The long-awaited redevelopment of the National Sports Centre is due to reach an important milestone this winter with submission of a planning application to Bromley Council.
Contractor Morgan Sindall’s public consultation events have indicated the scale and ambition of the redevelopment. Amongst the proposals outlined have been a comprehensive refurbishment and interior redesign of NSC building, reinstatement of the 50 metre swimming pool, a new training pool, extended to 25 metres, a 2,000 seat indoor arena, a new community play space between the NSC and the athletics stadium, a new North Stand and a community space between NSC and stadium.
The high-level walkway (the Paxton axis) that connects the upper and lower sections of Crystal Palace Park, running between the NSC and the stadium, will be retained, with improvements at the southern end where it abuts the lower section of the park. The walkway structure is considered to be sound, and any substantial modification would be costly and affect its structural integrity.
The tower to the north of the NSC and its surrounding buildings, originally used as athletes’ accommodation and for conferences, will be demolished. They are no longer functional and it has been concluded that the buildings have no sustainable future.
Given the time and complexity of the planning process, construction work will not start until 2027. The NSC is likely to close for two years while works are being carried out. If the current plans are indeed delivered, it will be worth the wait.
The CPCA will comment on the planning application in due course. Please get in touch with any comments that you would like us to include in our response.