Issue 51

21 October - 3 November 1997

Staff Newspaper of Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine

Sports hall plans turned down

A plan to build an underground sports hall in Prince's Gardens has been refused by the City of Westminster Planning Committee after receiving over 100 objections from local Knightsbridge residents.

The College's main reaction to the decision made on 9 October was one of deep disappointment. "We have been working with the planning officers for a year on this project," said Ian Caldwell, director of estates. "A very large number of students, over 9,000, are going to be denied much needed sports facilities."

Views expressed by one local councillor included the comment that Imperial was such a successful university that it did not need a sports hall to attract more students. If the College insisted on building a new sports facility then it must find another location.

"We have now got to look at whether there are alternative sites. Do we want to have a Queen's Lawn with a sports hall under it?" said Ian. "The alternative is to go back to the councillors with a much reduced scheme for Prince's Gardens."

However, the council did agree in principle to the construction of a six storey hall of residence which would fill in the empty space in Prince's Gardens and was designed by MacCormac Jamieson Prichard to complement the original Victorian architecture. "The councillors recommended that we withdraw our application and reapply for a hall of residence only," said Ian.

One of the main criticisms of the sports hall was the inclusion of spectator seating. Neighbours feared it would become a public venue, attracting coachloads of extra people into the area.

The Estates Committee is now reviewing the entire situation. "We are seeking expert advice," commented Ian. "We could go for a five badminton court sports hall instead of a nine court hall and reduce the size of other facilities."

It is likely that the Imperial College community, especially those resident in Westminster, will have to provide more support for future proposals in order to successfully counter opposition from local residents.

(c) Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, 1997
Last Revised: 21 October 1997