The council says a new café will complement and enhance the park and serve as a “focal point”, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to convert a disused sports pavilion in Chingford have been approved by Waltham Forest Council.
The pavilion and derelict toilet block at War Memorial Park in Chingford Mount Road will be converted into a café and ‘community hub’.
The park is owned by Waltham Forest Council and comprises sports pitches, bowling greens and a car park.
The sports pavilion is currently not being used and the council says a new café will complement and enhance the park, serving as a “focal point”.
In a report, put before the planning committee this week, a council officer wrote: “The proposed scheme aims to retain the community-focused nature of the buildings while offering upgraded facilities, namely a modern public toilet amenity and a café, which is anticipated to benefit the users of the tennis courts and the bowling green nearby.”
They added: “The nature of the development is to provide refreshments and drinks to park users and additional community space, managed by an independent operator.
“In light of this, the proposal is considered unlikely to deflect from the park’s primary functions or result in any significant changes to the park’s inherent character.”
The café will be open between 7am and 8pm, matching the opening hours of the park.
Letters were sent to 288 residents in the surrounding area in September, but planning officers said they did not receive a single response.
No external bodies, such as Sports England or Thames Water, objected to the scheme either.
The scheme was green-lit at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday, 5th November.
Committee members also conditionally approved plans for new airhall domes over three tennis courts at the Rolls Sports Ground in Chingford, and to build an extra storey on Essex Mansions in Leytonstone.
Proposals to demolish two flats in Hatherley Road in Walthamstow to make way for a new home were also approved.
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
