MD of Rocks Lane answers criticisms of the sports centre in Chiswick

Rocks Lane multi sports centre on Chiswick Back Common

Rocks Lane not told of the presentation to the Chiswick Area Forum opposing their planning application, they say, and would have liked the opportunity to answer criticisms

The Managing Director of Rocks Lane Multi Sports Centres, Chris Warren, has responded to the criticisms levelled against them at the Chiswick Area Forum on Wednesday night (16 September).

“We were disappointed not to have been informed that Rocks Lane would be the subject of a presentation at the Chiswick Area Forum. Had we known, we would have attended and answered the questions raised”, he told The Chiswick Calendar.

Jackie Elton, Chair of the Mid Chiswick Society and Friends of Chiswick Common residents’ group, described the covered padel courts on Chiswick Back Common as a “monstrosity” and told the meeting the buildings on the Common had been granted planning permission by the Council illegally.

READ ALSO: Objections to the ‘monstrosity’ of Rocks Lane sports building raised at Chiswick Area Forum

Rocks Lane has applied to Hounslow Council for retrospective planning permission for its building on Fishers Lane which houses four of the club’s padel courts and a spectator and social area adjacent to it, as well as a ‘wellness room’ – gym equipment and designated areas for players to stretch and carry out warm-up or recovery activities.

Jackie Elton was speaking against the application. She wants the building taken down and the planning applications stopped.

The building on Fishers Lane

Rocks Lane is “a much-valued community sports facility that provides year-round opportunities for thousands of local children, families, schools, clubs and community groups”

Chris Warren said:

“We recognise that residents are entitled to raise concerns, but it is important that the discussion is based on the complete facts and that Rocks Lane is given a fair opportunity to respond.

“Our priority remains protecting and improving a much-valued community sports facility that provides year-round opportunities for thousands of local children, families, schools, clubs and community groups.

“We are very proud of our community achievements, especially being recognised by the Lawn Tennis Association with the Outstanding Contribution to Padel Tennis in the Community and being shortlisted for inclusion as one of the LTA Junior National Padel Academy Centres of Excellence.

“This has all been made possible by the hard work and dedication of the 40-strong sports personnel team employed at Rocks Lane — a role model for other local sports facilities around the UK.

“The support we have received from the Mayor of Hounslow, the Leader of the Council and Hounslow Council officers has played an important part in developing that partnership. We are proud of what has been achieved at Rocks Lane and of the interest shown by other local authorities in learning from the model”.

Five aside football at Rocks Lane

Hounslow Council admits ‘the necessary [planning] consents have not always been secured historically’

At the meeting on Wednesday, Jackie Elton said Chiswick Back Common was ancient common land. Stewardship passed to Hounslow Council in 1965 but any decisions about building on it could only be made by a Secretary of State, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006, therefore the Council was wrong to have approved buildings on the Common.

Cllr Ron Mushiso, chairing the meeting, read out a statement from Hounslow which confirmed the land is registered common land and that applications for works requiring consent under the Commons Act 2006 are determined by the Secretary of State. It also appears to acknowledge that mistakes have been made:

‘The council notes that the necessary consents have not always been secured historically and has taken steps to address this going forward.

‘In relation to the padel tennis facility, the Council is working with the operator to address these requirements through the appropriate planning and common land consent processes’.

Rocks Lane also say they are ‘currently working constructively with Hounslow Council to regularise the planning position relating to certain elements of the facility’.

Padel social

“Constructive positivity, rather than destructive personal vendettas” should be the way forward

The sports centres company has worked in partnership with the London Borough of Hounslow since the Chiswick location was added to its portfolio more than 20 years ago. Before the sports centre was built there were tennis courts in the space, but they were neglected and run down.

The centre provides football – including the very popular Friday Night Fives – netball, tennis and padel, together with school sport, holiday camps, community programmes and activities for people of different ages and abilities. Local schools and community organisations benefit from free or subsidised access.

Chris Warren added:

“A thriving community sports project providing opportunities for all in this challenging economic climate is very rare indeed. It is important that we all work together as one community to help make these facilities sustainable for our future generations.

“Following 35 years developing community sport, I believe that constructive positivity, rather than destructive personal vendettas, is the path to successful community projects.”

Rocks Lane say they would welcome the opportunity to meet representatives of the Chiswick Area Forum and local residents to answer questions and discuss the centre’s continuing contribution to community sport in Chiswick.