Cocks Crescent Re-Development

An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An Kingstonintegral part of the Royals Vision for Swimming Aquatic Activities inClub the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames Overview of Kingston Royals Swimming Club

c250 Age Group swimmers Top 3 club in 8-18 year olds Top 10 club in c50 Masters & Adult Swimfit 10 national level swimmers c240 Learn to Swim 5-11 year olds 5 National finalists Over 150 on the waiting list 1 National Medal

And all this managed on predominantly unsociable hours... e.g. young swimmers training at 5am or until 9:30pm! How? Because we are PASSIONATE about our club and about swimming. We are hugely motivated to help.

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames Our Partners

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames Illustrative Masterplan: SPD for Cocks Crescent

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames Benefits to

Increased footfall in Cocks Crescent A new leisure centre will create reason for members of the public to access the Cock’s Crescent area, bringing large footfall to the area to similarly benefit local business, farmers market etc.

A thriving, bustling heart of the community A new leisure facility comprising an adequate provision for swimming as well as other leisure amenities, located as the council have suggested in the SPD alongside a new square, will see continuous footfall from early morning through evening. Such a facility, as it currently does, will be a central reason for people to walk off the high street and venture into the new heart of New Malden.

Positive impact on local business The points above will provide the custom for new businesses located within the new Cocks Crescent development.

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames Some thoughts on development

While we as a club; Kingston Borough’s current club of the year and the largest user group of the current Malden Centre, support the Illustrative Masterplan as outlined for the redevelopment of Cocks Crescent, we do have some concerns.

From our reading of the Illustrative Masterplan we note that provision is made for a “community hub” but no direct reference or mention of this including a swimming pool.

We would be concerned about the negative impact on not just ourselves as a swimming club but the larger aquatic and public community who currently avail of the swimming pool in the Malden Centre should this be lost.

Our hope is not only that a 25m swimming pool or pools are included in the new development, but that the ongoing development would not require the removal of the current swimming pool before the new pool(s) is in operation.

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames Some thoughts on development

We at KRSC support a redevelopment of Cocks Crescent that seeks to redevelop or replace the current swimming pool facility.

50 metre pool, with boom and movable floor and full gym/ studio provision Frees up the current NM Centre for alternative development.

OR 25 metre pool of 8-10 lanes width, with new learner pool and gym/studio space To serve both dryland needs of aquatic groups and wider community use – either in addition to the existing NM Centre or as a replacement

It is hugely important to consider all user groups when (i) designing the Development Plan, and (ii) when determining weekly, monthly and annual schedules.

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames User Groups

There are a broad spread of user groups from throughout the community

General public Kingston Royals SC Schools Kingston Royals Water Polo Leisure Centre Swimming Academies Spartan Swim Club Aqua Fit Classes Kingston Ladies Synchro Birthday Parties Kingfisher Royal Cadet Swimming Parent & Child Classes Academy Kingston Sub-Aqua

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames Limited Pool Time... Schools

Swimming is an essential life skill

We have 35 primary schools in the borough and only 2 pools. Children receive limited pool time - 1 term of swimming, equates to only 4/5 hours in the water. Currently not every school can meet the government target of every child swimming 25m before leaving primary school. A lack of pool time has exacerbated this issue and led to ever increasing waiting lists for swimming lessons.

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames KRSC Benefits the Community

Whilst the club will look to continue producing swimmer who can compete at the top of the sport, we believe that our greatest achievement is the benefit that we provide to the whole community.

We strive to be as inclusive as possible; a club for the people of the Borough

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames Benefit to the Community

The current leisure centre provides a place of activity for a wide spectrum of the local community. Indeed, at KRSC, almost 50% of our members live in the KT2 and KT3 postcodes. The inclusion of a fit for purpose swimming pool within the Cocks Crescent development will allow KRSC to continue and improve its service to the local community of New Malden.

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames How can KRSC help?

We are one of the largest, most successful sports clubs in the Borough, with a VIBRANT membership, an enthusiastic, highly skilled coaching team and professional grade (voluntary) management We have the skills and drive to greatly aid the aquatics development work of the Council and the Leisure Centre service provider. This has already begun through KRSC led development workshops for the teaching staff of the Malden Centre. Galvanise the input of other aquatic clubs to properly broaden the reach of an aquatics development plan. Together, we can help to draw up the best possible aquatics development strategy in the borough.

We want to help provide a clear, cohesive aquatic development plan for all.

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames KRSC Swimming Pathway

Masters

Adult Youth Active for life Swim Fit Fitness Senior Performance Squad Train to compete

Age Group Performance Train to train

Age Group Development Learn to train Junior Performance Squad

Juniors

Academy 2

Academy 1 Skill Development

Academy Start

Cadet Stage 6

Cadet Stage 5 Cadet Stage 4 Fundamentals Cadet Stage 3

Cadet Stage 2

Cadet Stage 1

Cocks Crescent Re-Development

An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames A Borough Aquatics Pathway

Swim for Life Public Swimming

Kingston KRSC Masters Sub Aqua Tri-athlon Ladies KRSC Masters Swimming and Open Water Masters Water Polo Clubs Clubs Adult Swim Fit Synchro

Kingston Kingston Ladies Kingston Royals Spartan Disability Senior Water Polo Synchro Senior Swim Squads Swimming Club Programme Squads

Kingston Junior KRSC Junior Kingston Ladies Water Polo Programme Swim Squads Synchro Juniors Squad

KRSC Cadets Kingston Borough Schools P4P Learn to Learn to Swim Learn to Swim Programme Swim Academies

By incorporating the Kingston Royals Swimming Pathway into a borough wide Aquatics Development Plan we would provide the following….

Cocks Crescent Re-Development

An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames New Facility Benefits

Increased public pool time - without the need to share with schools and clubs. Improved school swimming - we can strive to become THE borough for standards of school swimming. Give every child the opportunity to learn to swim. Improve the provision for clubs – e.g. more pool time can be allocated for Spartans (disability club), Synchro, Water Polo, tri-athlon clubs etc. Make age group and female water polo available for the first time in the borough. Create a platform for KRSC swimmers to achieve their potential. Allows KRSC to provide more structured swimming for more of the community.

Cocks Crescent Re-Development An integral part of the Vision for Aquatic Activities in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames Contact Information Kingston Royals SC www.kingstonroyals.co.uk

Chair: Nick Williams [email protected]

Vice-Chair: Julian Oldfield [email protected]

Head Coach: Damien Bryan [email protected]

Kingston Royals Swimming Club 56 Wilson Gardens Harrow HA1 4DZ 26 August 2016 Phone: 020 8864 0022 Mobile: 078 7623 4179 Email: [email protected] Skype: dave.rfletcher Strategic Planning Team Guildhall 2, High Street, KT1 1EU

Dear Sir

Public consultation on Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for Cocks Crescent, New Malden London Swimming, which is the regional governing body for swimming in , welcomes the proposals to create a new community hub in New Malden with its commitment to an upgraded community provision including a new or refurbished leisure centre. However, we are concerned that there is no commitment in the draft document to retaining swimming and its disciplines at the site.

Swimming has the highest number of participants in (research: Sport England) and has a major positive impact of the health, fitness and well-being on those who swim regularly. But research by the Amateur Swimming Association’s (ASA) Insights Team has identified that poor and outdated facilities are a significant barrier to community using facilities and swimming regularly. We therefore support the residents desire for a new leisure centre that is attractive and welcoming.

We have been advised that over 500,000 visits are made to the current leisure centre every year which demonstrates the importance of the swimming facility to the residents whether they swim casually for leisure or regularly to build and maintain their health and fitness. We ask that the final version of the SPD includes a commitment retaining swimming at the site.

It is vital that the swimming facility meets the needs of the whole community - not just those who swim casually for leisure – and encourages residents to swim regularly to build and maintain their health and fitness. It is also important that it enables residents to take up one of competitive swimming disciplines which not only provides health benefits and a safe communal environment for swimmers of all ages but develops their self-discipline and directs them away from anti-social and criminal behaviour. The current pool is vital to competitive swimming because:  Kingston Royals SC is currently the third best club in terms of performance in the County Swimming Association; it has approximately 250 competitive members and trains 250 youngsters to swim through the cadet programme. The club is reliant on the New Malden pool; and  the three-metre-deep New Malden pool is one of the few in Greater London with active water polo and synchronised swimming as well as the more common “learn to swim” and “competitive swimming training”. We therefore ask that the final document includes a commitment to support competitive swimming, synchronised swimming and water polo.

Whilst the minimum option is to refurbish and incorporate the existing pool into the proposed new leisure centre, there is an opportunity to create a modern 8-lane competitive 25m pool and position both the borough and the club as a focus for swimming in South West London. It would also create additional capacity thereby enabling more people to swim regularly with all the benefits that would bring to the community and the borough as a whole. And, a facility that can host competitions would bring visitors who would have a positive economic impact on the areas. We recommend that the Borough includes in the final document a strong consideration of a new 8 lane 25m pool.

Looking forward, the ASA, London Swimming and Kingston Royals Swimming Club stand ready to collaborate with the Borough to  develop long term and sustainable plans for swimming and swimming facilities in the Borough;  minimise the adverse impact of any closure – even a short term closure for refurbishment – that closure of the pool would have; and  maximise the number of people regularly using a pool in New Malden, whether for leisure, health and fitness, or competitive training. For example, we would need to identify alternative facilities for all users if the pool were to be closed and the Kingfisher Leisure Centre’s design and current usage impede its ability help minimise the impact of a pool closure not matter how temporary.

The ASA has teams who can help you with pool programming, building participation and developing facilities working in Greater London. They and both the Region and the Kingston Royals Swimming Club have a wealth of experience, expertise and knowledge which can help the Borough:  enable more people to enjoy swimming, synchronised swimming and water polo;  position the borough at the forefront of the sport in South West London; and  put the borough on the map through athletes’ success on the national and international stage.

I have copied this letter to  Nick Williams (Chair of Kingston Royals Swimming Club) [email protected];  Norman Edgell (Facilities Lead on London Swimming Board) [email protected],  Suzanne Philpot (ASA Divisional Lead for London) [email protected], and  Dennis Freeman-Wright (ASA Facilities Team) [email protected].

Yours faithfully,

Dave Fletcher Chairman Strategic Planning Team Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames 26 August 2016 Dear Sirs,

Public consultation on the SPD for Cocks Crescent, New Malden

The amazing success of Team GB at the 2016 Olympics has re-ignited many people’s passion for sport. Our success in Rio was the culmination of nearly 20 years’ major investment of National Lottery funding. We now need to turn our focus to the next generation of world class British athletes, and there is no doubt that forming their skills at local sports clubs is crucial.

One such sports club is the Kingston Royals Swimming Club (‘KRSC’). KRSC is an outstanding and massively oversubscribed local swimming club run by dedicated volunteers. KRSC achieves great results in spite of, not because of the resources we have locally. They have to operate outside the Malden and Kingfisher Centres’ public opening times, with many parents getting up as early as 4am to take their children to training sessions! In addition, there is not one 25m pool in the Borough capable of hosting a competitive swimming gala due to the lack of spectator seating, plus children have to travel as far as Crystal Palace or Aldershot if they wish to train and compete at a 50m Olympic size pool.

KRSC originally got in touch with me to discuss two issues: the need for more pool capacity in Kingston and the need to ensure that any replacement of the ageing pool at the Malden Centre is planned in such a way that there are two pools in continuous use in the Borough. We have fewer pools per head of population than other London Borough meaning that children lose out on pool time at school. That’s why last October I launched a campaign with Conservative Councillors for a new swimming pool in the Borough (preferably south of the A3) which has already gained a lot of local support.

I want to endorse KRSC’s response to the public consultation on the SPD for Cocks Crescent New Malden. The Malden Centre is used casually by many local residents to keep fit, and a number of clubs: KRSC, Kingston Ladies (synchronised swimming), Kingston Royals Water Polo, Spartan Swim Club and Kingston & Elmbridge Sub Aqua Club. I agree with KRSC that the Cocks Crescent SPD should include provision for an up to date swimming pool and my view is that the far preferable option is a new pool as opposed to renovating the current facility. Moreover, the current leisure centre should ideally be kept open until the new facility is operational, else the many users of the Centre will have nowhere close by to go in the interim. This would jeopardise KRSC’s future.

I entirely concur with KRSC’s support for redevelopment of Cocks Crescent that seeks to redevelop or replace the current swimming facility with either as 50m pool (with boom and movable floor) or a 25m pool of 8-10 lanes width, with learner pool and sufficient spectator seating.

Yours faithfully,

James Berry MP Kingston &