The scheme, a collaboration with the Greater London Authority (GLA) led by contractor Morgan Sindall, was given consent by Bromley Council’s planning committee on Thursday (23 July) evening. Councillors voted unanimously in support.
FaulknerBrowns is behind plans for the refurbishment of the Olympic-sized swimming pool with a range of internal and external improvements, while WOO architects has drawn up a masterplan for the wider site.
Together, these reimagine the whole sports centre complex with improved public access, a new central plaza featuring a running track, gym and café, and plans to revitalise both the athletics stadium and other indoor facilities alongside FaulknerBrowns’ vision for the swimming pool.
Built in 1953-54 to designs by London County Council’s Architects Department under lead architect Norman Engleback, the sports centre has hosted major international swimming and athletics meets, among other events.
However, it had fallen into disrepair and is described by London Mayor Sadiq Khan as in need of ‘major investment and refurbishment’.
In 2018 Hawkins\Brown was appointed by the GLA to draw up feasibility plans to regenerate the site and deliver a ‘revitalised, fit-for-purpose community asset that [would] be accessible to all Londoners, offering a wide range of activities for competitive and casual users alike’.
When the project was first announced, Khan described the sports centre as a ‘historic and much-loved sporting and community facility’.
He added: ‘I am committed to this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the site, which will secure its future for decades to come.’
Plans for the iconic sports centre were submitted this March after the team was selected in spring 2025 to redevelop the facility.
The renovation plans gained the public backing of more than 15 national governing sports bodies and clubs as well as local authority leaders and Historic England, which praised the proposal for making the centre ‘fit for the future’.
Commenting on the approval, Richard Dobson, area director for Morgan Sindall in London, said: ‘We can’t wait to start delivering the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre renovation now that planning has been approved, as we know this project is going to unlock incredible benefits for so many people in the South London area.’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: ‘This historic and much-loved national sports facility has created so many UK sporting stars, but it needs major investment and refurbishment and I am committed to delivering this.
‘We now look forward to starting the next phase of work alongside partners and the local community to create an outstanding sporting venue, as we work together to build a better London for everyone.’
WOO and FaulknerBrowns previously told the AJ that the redevelopment would make the national sports centre ‘more inclusive, efficient and accessible’ with the provision accessible seating at the neighbouring stadium for the first time. The diving pool will return to use after closing six years ago.
Key elements of the design include improvements to accessibility, upgrading the building’s fabric to optimise energy use, introducing a glazed screen to divide the pool from the rest of the facility and removing fossil fuel systems to be replaced with heat pumps and solar panels, which have been designed in collaboration with Max Fordham.
Kevin Owens, founding director at WOO, said when plans were submitted: ‘Crystal Palace holds a unique place in the nation’s sporting history and the GLA’s ambition for its renewal is truly inspiring. Submitting for planning is a key step in safeguarding Crystal Palace National Sports Centre as a vital public asset for London.’
In 2024 HTA Design was given the go-ahead for £17.75 million plans to overhaul the surrounding park, which completes this summer. This includes the Grade II-listed Italian Terraces and the Grade II-listed Paxton Bust, unique dinosaur sculptures and lakes.
Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
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