Leisure projects

We're renovating the adventure playground into a modern, exciting space for local children and young people. 

We’ve allocated funding for changes to the site, including new play equipment and landscape improvements. 
 
The project aims to provide:

• an attractive and accessible adventure playground
• play equipment that's inclusive for all
• a top-quality playground that meets the needs of local children

We've already renovated the old pitch to modernise it and make sure it's of good quality. 

Latest updates

Completed:

• a community consultation between October and November 2024
• first design options created and presented to Bethwin Road Adventure Playground Management

Our next steps are:

• to hold the 2nd community consultation with design options
• to present the outcome of the consultation

Check back for updates or email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk.

The proposal is to improve the park's sports pitches and facilities. Upgrades include:

• new high-quality 3G AstroTurf all-weather football pitches that can be configured in to five 5-a-side pitches
• changing rooms, an event/activity room and low-energy, sustainable heating system for the refurbished sports centre
• sound barriers that will reduce noise disturbance to local residences
• a free-to-use Toro interactive football facility
• removal of hard surfaces and an increase in green space
• more trees and enhanced plantings that are great for wildlife
• improved entrances to the park

The first public consultation was held in 2019 and a second in 2020.

Latest updates

The design is being updated. It's estimated that works will begin in autumn/winter 2025.

To be notified once the planning application is submitted and to join our mailing list, email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk. 

The Burgess Park master plan and Physical activity and sport strategy highlighted the need to increase and enhance the park's sports facilities.

This was to meet current and increasing demands.

The sports centre had several issues and the all-weather pitch was in poor condition. 

They've now been demolished and are being replaced with:

• a new, more efficient sports centre
• 2 full-sized 4G all-weather pitches, suitable for different sports

You can:

• download the plans for the new pitches
• email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk if you have any questions or want a paper copy of the plans

Planning applications

Planning permission was granted in November 2019 (application number 19/AP/1275). 

A planning amendment (21/AP/1002) was approved in July 2021.

Planning permission was granted in July 2022 for a ballcourt suitable for wheelchair sports and basketball. This has been built next to the football pitches.

Next steps

Construction is underway. The new pitches are expected to open in winter 2024 to 2025. 

You can learn more about the sports centre on our park pages. 

Find out more about outdoor cooking in Burgess Park. 

For more information or to join the project mailing list, email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk.

Conservation management plans are management resources that review each cemetery's:

• heritage
• ecology
• landscape
• visitor experience
• trees/woodlands

The consultation for Nunhead Cemetery's conservation management plan is now complete and has been adopted by us.

Latest updates

We're preparing for public consultations on the conservation management plans for:

• Camberwell Old Cemetery
• Camberwell New Cemetery

Check back for more details on the consultations.

The first public consultation was held in early 2020, the second in spring 2021, and the third in summer 2022.

A masterplan was created with the local community and includes:

• merging Consort Park and Dr Harold Moody Park
• creating more parkland and removing part of the road and parking spaces
• additional seats and picnic benches

The play area in Dr Harold Moody Park will be refurbished to include:

• more play equipment
• improving the play equipment for children with disabilities
• a new pump track for skating
• fitness climbing 'trees'
• another table tennis table
• a chess table

Improvements to Consort Park include improving access for people with disabilities (following an Equalities Impact Assessment). We'll add wider pathways and remove gates.

It will also become more beneficial to wildlife by:

• planting 22 new trees
• creating a dense urban forest of 105 small trees and shrubs, plants and wildflower meadows

Latest updates

Planning permission has been granted for this work. Phase 1 works started on 18 November.

If you have questions or want to join the mailing list, email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk.

The adventure playground will be upgraded with new facilities.

Latest updates

An initial consultation took place in October and November 2024. 

The consultation asked for views on the existing playground and play building and how they can be improved.

After a successful development phase, we and the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the delivery phase.

The project's delivery will include:

• restoring the East Lodge
• replacing the Friends of Nunhead Cemetry (FONC) cabin

Also, to implement the:

• interpretation plan
• digital strategy
• woodland management plan
• activity plan
• volunteering strategy

A new role will be created to lead and grow existing events designed to engage residents across all communities, such as:

• oral history sessions
• practical woodland management sessions
• exhibitions and art events

Roger Mears Architects’ design for the restoration has received planning and listed building consent. 

You can find details on our online planning register. Search for the following application numbers:

• 21/AP/2274
• 21/AP/2275

Latest updates

Planning consent was granted for the:

• landscape proposals and non-material amendments, applications 23/AP/3589 and 23/AP/3590 (listed building consent)
• new FONC cabin, application 23/AP/2875

For more information or to be added to our mailing list for regular updates, email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk.

The adventure playground was in need of an upgrade with new play equipment, paths and surfacing.

Latest updates

The first phase of the project to improve the Ellen Brown Centre building has been completed.

The second phase of works to improve the outdoor play facilities, including play equipment and landscaping, have started.

The new and improved playground is expected to be completed by early December 2024. 

There will be an official opening event. We'll share details soon.

The playground was closed in 2019 for an upgrade of new play equipment, paths and surfacing.

Latest updates

Works started in May 2024 and were completed in October 2024.

If you’d like more information or to join the project mailing list, email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk. 

We have funding available for Leyton Square Park in Peckham.

The park has 2 buildings, 1 which is empty and the other is currently used for under-5’s daycare. 

We'll eventually need to demolish these buildings because of their condition.

We've been working in partnership with the Friends of Leyton Square on the idea of replacing the 2 buildings with a single new building. This will be a purpose built, mixed-use community facility.

The project will:

• explore the local community’s needs
• investigate the cost of the new building

A consultation on the project ran from 8 August 2024 until 19 September 2024.

It included a community event in Leyton Square Park on 17 August where we had children’s activities, like face painting and refreshments. 

View the consultation summary report. 

Latest updates

We aim to submit a planning application in February 2025. Once approved, we'll start building work.

If you’d like more information or to join the project mailing list, email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk.

The Nunhead Cemetery boundary wall along Limesford Road needs repairing and updating. 

Works include: 

• reducing the height of the existing cemetery boundary wall to ground level
• building a new wall in front of the existing wall to provide added support and reduce the risk of its collapse

Latest updates

Repair work started in June 2024 and are planned to complete on 11 April 2025, subject to delays. 

We want to improve Little Dorrit Park, a small park just off Borough High Street near London Bridge Station. 

The play area is not fenced off from the rest of the park and according to byelaws:

• adults without children are not allowed in the park's play area
• dogs are also not allowed

We propose to:

• fence off the play area so everyone is welcome in the park
• improve play equipment
• make other improvements to the park and the Peace Garden next to Little Dorritt Park

Latest updates

Two public consultations were carried out in 2021 and 2022.

You can get a copy of the report by emailing leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk.

An updated design will be circulated to the public soon. Check back for updates. 

Funding was received for targeted improvements to the park. 

The planned works will focus on improving the entrance from East Street and the 2 play areas. 

Latest updates

A consultation report is being prepared.

An application to our planning department for a certificate of lawful development was submitted in September. 

Tendering for a landscape contractor to deliver the improvement works will take place in autumn/winter. 

Works will start on-site in late spring or early summer 2025.

Following conversations with residents and other local groups, we installed a new, trial electricity-powered outdoor cooking facility. 

The trial cooking area has 3 electric hotplates and 4 picnic benches. 

Find out how to use the cooking facility.

Latest updates

The electric hotplates are now closed for winter.

To join our mailing list, email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk. 

The playground will be upgraded with new play equipment, paths and surfacing. 

The first consultation was held in January 2023. A design consultation followed in August 2023.

 Feedback from both consultations was used to create the final design for the adventure playground. 

Latest updates

Works are expected to start in 2025.

If you'd like a copy of the consultation reports or the final design, email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk. 

Latest updates

Works were completed at Victory Community Park in August 2024 and it has reopened to the public. 

We hope you enjoy the new facilities. 

We thank all the residents who helped through the public consultations.

If you'd like to see any of the consultation reports or the final design for the park, email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk.