The long-awaited regeneration of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has been given the green light, with Bromley Council approving a scheme valued at approximately £100m. Morgan Sindall was appointed through the Southern Construction Framework to deliver the works on the 15-hectare site in Crystal Palace Park, which first opened in 1964.
What the redevelopment will deliver
The approved plans aim to bring the Grade II*-listed complex up to modern standards while reinstating lost competitive facilities. Key elements include an internal reconfiguration to allow a restored 50m competition pool and diving pool to operate alongside shallow and 25m water provision within a single aquatics hall; an enlarged gym; specialist weightlifting space; a climbing centre; and an indoor 100m running track.
- Outdoor additions: a six-court padel centre, 3×3 basketball courts, five-a-side pitches and a full-size artificial multi-sports pitch.
- Community provisions: a new café, a 200m running track, an outdoor gym and a dedicated community space with free-to-use facilities.
- Accessibility and public realm work: improved pedestrian links to the nearby railway station and a step-free route between Penge and Crystal Palace sides of the park.
Team, timetable and sustainability measures
The project team includes FaulknerBrowns as the architect and WOO Architects on the sports masterplan, supported by sustainability consultant Max Fordham, structural and heritage engineering from Alan Baxter Associates, and employer’s agent Currie & Brown. Glenigan has estimated the scheme at £100m. Work is expected to start later this year with completion targeted for 2028.
Design and plant changes aim to reduce the centre’s carbon emissions: gas systems will be removed and replaced with air source heat pumps, and rooftop photovoltaic panels are planned. Internal improvements include new lifts, upgraded changing facilities and a glazed screen to separate wet and dry zones to better control noise and humidity.
“I’m delighted that planning approval has been granted for this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre,” said Sir Sadiq Khan, mayor of London.
The scheme restores more than fabric and fixtures; it sets out to revive a site long associated with British athletics. Locals and politicians have described the centre as having fallen into decline in recent years, with pools closed and stadium facilities in need of renewal. Liam Conlon, MP for Beckenham and Penge, called the approval “a major milestone and a massive moment for South London”, saying it would help inspire future Team GB athletes.
Quick summary
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost (approx.) | £100m |
| Site | Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, 15 hectares |
| Main contractor | Morgan Sindall (Southern Construction Framework) |
| Target completion | 2028 |
For sport in London the project is both restoration and reinvention: bringing back competition-standard aquatics and bolstering facilities for athletics, climbing, racket sports and community fitness. If it meets its ambitions, the centre will again be a national hub for training and grassroots activity — and a visible example of public investment in sporting infrastructure across the capital.
