Updated: February 2025
Kingston Leisure Centre – planning permission granted
Residents of Chessington have long campaigned for more public leisure facilities, particularly a swimming pool, in the south of the borough. It is over five years since the Kingfisher in Kingston closed due to maintenance issues, with the promise from the council of a new facility opening in 2024.
Since 2019 there has been just one public swimming pool in the borough at The Malden Centre, pushing many Chessington residents to seek access to affordable swimming and leisure facilities outside the borough in Leatherhead or Elmbridge, or not participating at all.
The long-awaited planning application for the Kingston Leisure Centre (on the old Kingfisher site) was submitted in November 2024 and approved in February 2025. The consent is for the provision of a main pool and learner pool, fitness studios, gym, sports halls, health suite, changing facilities, cafe, soft play, enhancements to the existing outdoor play area, landscaping and public realm, cycle parking, blue badge car parking, access and associated works.
Committee approval for the construction contract is due in March. Provided that is granted, construction will start in spring 2025. The target for opening the new building is spring 2027.
According to The Kingston Society, the redevelopment of the Kingfisher Leisure Centre seeks to deliver a modern, accessible facility, but financial, timeline, and community concerns remain. Collaboration will be key to success.