Welling United reveal plans for Park View Road redevelopment
Welling United Football Club have announced that they are working with Lita Homes to bring forward proposals for 114 residential homes and a new stadium with associated facilities at the Park View Road site as part of wider regeneration plans at the grounds, securing the club for the future.
Welling revealed the news and their future plans with a website post on 11th July.
The Welling United Football Club site comprises 120,000 sqm and is located to the south-east of Welling town centre and Welling train station. The football ground is situated directly south of Park View Road and to the east of Roseacre Road.
The site is occupied by Park View Road Stadium. The stadium is a key sports facility and asset to the area but is in need of restoration. To the east of the site is the Bexleyheath Cricket Club and to the south of the site is green expanse of Danson Park.
At present, the site and football grounds are not fit for purpose. The grounds are in very poor condition and there are next to no adequate club facilities. Part of the site is derelict, and the site boundaries need work to maintain security.
The current facilities are poorly built and suffer from structural damage. The buildings are not weatherproof and suffer leakages. Many areas essential to the functioning of the club, such as changing rooms and toilets, are simply at their end of life and require a complete overhaul.
A new home for the Wings
Welling United aspires to provide a more welcoming environment for their players, fans, and the wider community. It has ambitions to cater for double the number of players and would like to extend work on various community programmes and offer more support to the neighbourhood with safer and better facilities.
However, Welling United does not have the resources to deliver this on their own.
To this end, Welling United has partnered with Lita Homes to deliver the following improvements to Park View Road:
• A new club venue for Welling United fit for the current league and future expansion
• New management areas including meeting rooms, administration and offices, and hospitality suites
• A brand-new FA regulation size pitch with over 4,000 crowd capacity, sheltered spectator zones, and viewing areas
• State-of-the-art team facilities and changing rooms for 500+ resident players, football academy, and visiting teams
• Provide a football hub for the community for all ages and abilities
Together, these improvements will secure a future for the club, providing it room to grow and ensuring it can provide a safe and welcoming standard to members, visitors, and the wider community. In particular, it will ensure it can extend work on its various community programmes, delivering on its purpose of football for all.
The new facilities for Welling United will be funded by commercial and residential development on the Park View Road edge of the site, forming part of Welling High Street.
This consists of:
114 new, high-quality homes
New commercial space fronting onto
Park View Road
A new café / bar
New hospitality space
New classroom spaces for community use
Public realm improvements to Park View Road and Roseacre Road
The provision of 114 new, high-quality homes will place the football club within the heart of the community, with a variety of homes from starter homes to larger family-sized duplexes proposed.
In addition, the new commercial space fronting Park View Road will add vitality to the eastern end of the high street, helping to secure improvements to this area of Welling.
Moreover, the café / bar, and community spaces will provide key facilities and support for the local community to enjoy.
The project will be committed to using locally-sourced companies to complete the development, with club sponsors being preferred suppliers during the building process.
Design
The design of the residential development has been modelled to reflect the scale of a London mansion block which use ornate detailing to soften the appearance of the building.
The materials proposed are principally one of brick for the primary elevations, with a complementary palette of bricks which range from red to brown. A characterful metal clad roof form is proposed, and this is articulated with metal dormers to acknowledge the building’s residential purpose.
In addition, as part of improvements to the public realm, paving flags and permeable paving have been proposed within the grounds.
Transport and sustainability
The proposals for Welling United have been developed to promote high levels of sustainability through a low carbon design, incorporating passive and renewable design features and minimising the site’s carbon footprint during construction and operation.
A key element of this includes the retention of the Erith & Belvedere stand and hall. These buildings are in relatively good repair and the intention would be to repaint the stand steelwork and replace the seating to match the new stand on the opposite side.
Intensive and extensive greening of roofs and walls is also proposed where practical, which will be completed by the installation of PV panels, thereby providing a source of renewable energy, and enhancing biodiversity.
Promoting the adoption of sustainable transport modes is a key part of the proposals for Welling United FC and a car-free development is proposed. As such, adequate cycle parking will be provided to serve both the residential and football ground elements of the proposals.
Moreover, a free car-club membership for all residents to encourage a reduction in private car ownership and a mode shift away from car travel will be explored.
Timeline
July 2023 – public consultation
August 2023 – Reviewing feedback and evolving proposals
September 2023 – Submission of planning application
December 2023 – Targeting planning decision
May 2024 – Targeting work to start on site
May 2026 – Targeting works completed
During the ongoing work on the site, the club will temporarily play their games at an alternative venue until completion.
Welling United and Lita Homes hosted a preview session at Park View Road on Monday, July 11th to share plans and answer queries from supporters and local residents.