Forum Topic

Barclays Bank Sports Ground - Park View Road

I pass the old Barclays Bank Sports Ground in Park View Road every week day on the bus to and from work.  Also sometimes walk past at weekends on way to/from Hanger Hill Park.  I've noticed that the same cars are parked in the grounds nearly all the time but that the gates are locked and things seems to be dead quiet there, although on one or two occasions I have seen some people coming and going.  Also, of course, the building/club house has fallen into disrepair and, I guess, the outdoor swimming pool too.  It seems such a terrible shame as I remember it in its heyday.  However, the grounds are still being kept well.  All very mysterious!  Does anyone know what's going on there?

Elizabeth Anna Thaddeus ● 3905d15 Comments

Paul,as an ex QPR player you should be in favour!!Oh not that Paul Murray.______________________________________________________________As regards PVR site, it's becoming a school which is one of the reasons the 112 is being re-routed down Madeley Rd,allegedly.

Simon Wycombe ● 3076d

^^ All the more reason to take over the Sports Pavilion and playing pitches in PVR!

Mark Walker ● 3085d

There ARE similar facilities.They are called Warren Farm but your council has decided to GIFT them to QPR on a 200 year lease!!!!!

Paul Murray ● 3090d

This is a really fantastic facility which we are now allowing to fall into complete disrepair.Chelsea FC used it as a temporary facility whilst their training facility at Cobham was built, and QPR FC then used it whist they waited to move to the Harlington training ground owned by Imperial University and previously used by Chelsea.The is owned by a Far East billionaire via a company, who wants to build residential accommodation on it.Many local residents groups believe he will attempt to get planning permission (for hugely expensive housing)  in a deal with the Council which will involve him selling some of the land to the Council for required school building programme.Given the local traffic issues (TfL have refused point blank to allow access off the NCR into PVR via Woodville Gardens), the plans been shelved for the meantime.But we MUST remain vigilant.Surely we need to re-open this marvellous sports facility?There are no similar sports pavilions available in LBE.

Mark Walker ● 3091d

Will it still mean that there can be a school holiday sports programme of events for all?There is a creeping use of public open space...

Philippa Bond ● 3092d

The Council have earmarked it for a school but it is on Metropolitan Open Land. The planning inspectorate have said that it is okay to use this because of the need.https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201164/local_plans/1961/planning_for_schools_dpdI heard recently that a school had been given the green light as well as another on the old Acton College site on Gunnersbury Lane but I have seen this reported anywhere else.

Helena Cavanagh ● 3093d

I heard today that the new secondary school that was proposed for this site will open in Autumn 2017.  Seems a bit unlikely since there is not much sign of building work, but I could be wrong.  Might become busy on Woodville Rd/Gardens as access to the school cannot be from the North Circular, and I understand they want to close Mountfield Road to through traffic (under discussion.

Barbara Dore ● 3096d

I played hockey there until it shut down.  Barclays decided not to subsidise the sport there as not enough of the players were Bank staff, so they save £750K per year.  They would like to have sold it and it there were a couple of deals mentioned (Middlesex CC for the 2nd Xi and Chelsea FC as a training ground) but neither came off. I understood that the covenant for the land mandates that it has to be used for sports purposes hence the limited market.  It was suggested that Barclays would hold it until they could get that mandate chnaged to allow building development (possibly by saying that it was unusued for sports for X years).  Really sad as it was a good facility and a waste of good land.

Peter Hilton ● 3896d

We ran the Ealing Beer Festival there in May 2007. It was subsequently sold to a far east company who did not want us (or anyone else) back. I assumed the company who bought it are land-banking waiting for a time when they will be allowed to build flats on it. However at the time it was rumoured that there was a nuclear bunker underneath which prevented the land being used for other purposes. Certainly the only planning applications that have been made concern using the clubhouse as a temporary film base.

Roy Tunstall ● 3896d

Well, things there are still the same!  I do remember that a few years ago, a very successful Polish festival was held in the grounds; however, since then, nothing!  Just seems an awful shame and such a waste.  There is also the vacant old Springbridge Nurseries site (happy memories of this too when it was up and running).

Elizabeth Anna Thaddeus ● 3897d

Is there any news about Barclays Bank Sports Ground? What's happening there, if anything?

Gerry Tan ● 3897d

My mistake then.

Nigel Brooks ● 3905d

Hi Nigel,As far as I know, the grounds are not owned by St Augustine's Priory although they had an agreement, many years ago, for the pupils to be allowed to use the swimming pool.  I know one should never judge a book by the cover, but whenever I have passed by on foot at weekends, the people entering and exiting the grounds did not look like teaching staff.  There was also a dog (guard dog?) behind the wrought-iron gates.

Elizabeth Anna Thaddeus ● 3905d

Are the grounds not owned by St. Augustine's Priory which would explain the cars parked there - possibly teaching staff?

Nigel Brooks ● 3905d

I remember Barclats Sports Ground - we used to play cricket and have football matches there and the grounds were always immaculate and the Barclays people always gave us a good tea etc. That was years ago - don't know about the grounds now.  Sad to hear about it now.

Gerry Tan ● 3905d