Community Links

Playing Fields

There are playing fields in Whitehorse Lane (Morris Playing Fields), Shenley Lane and at Napsbury Park, plus a smaller area at Walsingham Way.

Football pitches are provided at Morris Playing Fields, Shenley Lane and Napsbury.; a cricket pitch at Napsbury ; tennis courts at Morris Playing Fields and Napsbury ; and a multi-use games area at Napsbury with a new one soon to be built on the playing fields at Shenley Lane.

In addition to the areas operated by the Parish Council, St Albans City &the District Council is responsible for the Cotlandswick Open Space. They are in the process of bringing two exciting new leisure facilities to the District –
the re-development of Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre and the development of a new leisure facility on the Cotlandswick Playing Fields in London Colney.

The Council has recognised the need for new leisure facilities for some time. 

In 2005 the District Sport and Recreation Facilities Strategy confirmed that both Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre and London Colney Recreation Centre were reaching the end of their useful life, and that new facilities were needed to meet the sports and leisure needs of District residents and visitors both now and in the future.

A study in 2007 took a close look at potential locations and mix of facilities, following which the Council decided to go ahead with two brand new leisure facilities, one at the Westminster Lodge site off Holywell Hill in St Albans, and one at Cotlandswick Open Space, London Colney.

Subject to planning permission, the new facility at Cotlandswick will replace Bricket Wood Sports Centre, which closed in February 2010, and London Colney Recreation Centre on Perham Way, which will remain open until the new centre at Cotlandswick is completed and open to the public, perhaps as early as 2012.

Good progress has been made by the District Council’s project management team towards planning the new leisure facility. The Council has shortlisted three companies, each of which has submitted detailed proposals including initial design concepts, funding proposals and information on how they would operate the new centre.

As a minimum, the facility will include:

• A multi use room or rooms to accommodate a variety of activities e.g. fitness classes, children’s activities / parties, a martial arts dojo, suitable sporting activities (table tennis, badminton etc) and short mat bowls;

• A fitness gym;

• Meeting rooms for clubs, associations, local groups and/or courses;

• Synthetic turf pitch(es) and changing rooms;

Aerial shot of Cotlandswick Open Space, London Colney.  Part of this site is proposed for the new leisure facility.

The Council is now in detailed talks with these developers and, following further planning, residents will be invited to give their feedback on the various ideas and proposed facilities.

For more information please visit  www.stalbans.gov.uk/new-london-colney