9 March 2026 | Queen Mother Sports Centre & Sussex St. Playground

A follow up on two possible developments in Pimlico

Following a discussion between the Council and the Steering Group, the members of the Forum, joined by representatives of the Pimlico FREDA (Federation of Resident Associations), had a lively and very helpful meeting about the future of the block containing the Queen Mother Sports Centre on 14 January. 

The discussion was introduced and structured by members Chiara Schina and Fabrizio Primavera of SP Architecture Workshop that the Steering Group would like to thank for their help and support to the PNF. See the slides of their presentation about the Pimlico Neighbourhood Plan and relevant policies here and the minutes of the meeting and the points made here.

The PNF wrote on 7 February to Cllr Ellie Ormsby, Westminster Cabinet Member leading on the Council’s new housing schemes, summarising the meeting’s views and re-iterating the need to maintain the Sussex Street playground. The letter is here.

Subsequently, the Council Cabinet has decided to progress two proposals:

1. A mixed public space and housing scheme on the Sussex Street playground site a the preferred option, but with other options still forming “part of [Westminster’s] ongoing assessment and consultation as the project develops. .. there is a commitment to further engage and consult on the options being progressed to the next stage of development”. We understand that the preferred option at this stage is that approximately 50% of the site is public space.
2. For the Queen Mother Sports Centre block, the preferred option is a mixed sports centre and housing scheme (involving demolition and replacement of the sports centre with a modern facility). This might potentially include the Wilton Road frontage opposite Sainsbury’s, but requires further financial analysis before more work can be done on the option. As we understand matters, it would require external subsidy for the replacement sports centre, or to enable the affordable housing to be provided alongside market housing.

The Cabinet meeting papers can be found on the Council’s website with the paper about the Queen Mother Sports Centre here.