The first phase of development at Tooting and Mitcham Sports club has been approved by Merton planning committee.

Plans for a six-storey tower located at Imperial Fields was granted by Merton Council subject to the Greater London Authority approval, on August 20.

Tooting & Mitcham Sports and Leisure Ltd submitted planning back in December for an accommodation block comprising 77 homes to be based at the front of the site.

Plans for the proposed development will see four storeys facing Bishopsford Road rising to six storeys towards the rear.

A communal roof terrace is also proposed to provide a variety of uses with the remainder of the roof being used to provide solar panels.

Although originally stated as providing 31 affordable units and 46 private units, the proposals are now stated to be 100% affordable based on all the units being shared ownership.

Plans will see the profits derived from the accommodation block reinvested into the facility to provide new sporting facilities such as a sports hall for the community.

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A spokesperson for Tooting & Mitcham Sports club said: "The plan to enhance the facilities at Imperial Fields has been the vision of the organisation since the first published Master Plan in 2008.

“It was great to get the support of the officers and the councillors to move our plans to the next stage.

"We look forward to bringing our vision for the site to reality and providing much needed enhanced sporting facilities to the area."

The decision of Merton’s Planning Committee is not the final decision as the application is required to be referred to the Mayor of London.