The construction of huge new football facilities in two large Croydon parks in an effort to upgrade Croydon’s ‘poor’ football facilities could be complete in time for 2020.

Councillors heard initial plans for four full sized football pitches at Purley Way and Ashburton playing fields.

Both sites are designated as metropolitan open land (MOL) which is protected for use as as an area of landscape, recreation, nature conservation or scientific interest.

Regeneration manager and project manager for Croydon Council Xander Beck told the planning committee that the council is leading on the project but 60% of funding is coming from partners including FA, Premier League and the DCMS.

He said: “All council managed facilities are rated as poor by Sport England’s criteria

“Despite the poor quality they are also expensive – The more dilapidated they are the more they cost us.

“Football development in the borough struggles.  We’ve got a low level of female participation at just 3% of local teams.”

Mr Beck said that there is also not much on offer for people with disabilities.

He added: “Clubs and teams are going elsewhere to find better facilities.”

The Purley Way pre-application states that as well as two 3G pitches and floodlights there would be a single storey building for changing rooms, a club room and cafe and cafe.

The Ashburton Playing Fields pre-application also includes an indoor gym.

Both proposals include a 35 space car park, shared pedestrian and cycle path, an outdoor gym and playground.

James Morris from Sport England said both would be run as not-for-profit facilities and the gym and cafes would make them financially viable.

He said: “This would remove the need for future public subsidy of the hubs and profit will be reinvested into grassroots football.”

Cllr Scott Roche asked what the feedback from the public was at a consultation event on the Ashburton plans.

Mr Beck said: “The key issue was parking, to be quite honest, and this was always going to be a contentious element of the scheme.

“Some residents felt very strongly that we should have a dedicated parking on the playing fields.”

In response to concerns about antisocial behaviour he said there would be management on site as well as CCTV.

Waddon ward councillor Andrew Pelling said the Purley Way plans would be good for the area.

“I think a good point is in terms of the placement

“It would be a shame to lose the iconic view from Purley Way across to Croydon to the Manhattan Skyline.”

But Shirley North ward councillor Gareth Streeter said he thought the Ashburton site would be inappropriate development on the land.

He said: “I think parking and traffic are huge concerns.

“Light pollution is another major concern and noise – Football should be a noisy sport but it is not particularly nice when it is right outside your window.”

Summing up planning chair Cllr Paul Scott said the sites are good for the plans.

“Clearly to fit football pitch sized place in we’re going to have to use Metropolitan Open Land.

He told the developers: “We’d like you to look further at the location and move it further away from residents on Woodmere Avenue with decent screening between residents and the pitch.”

The team behind the proposals plan on holding more public engagement sessions this month before a full planning application being submitted in November.

If approved, the hope is for the new pitches to open in time for football season in 2020.