Long-delayed Rosslyn Park Gym Gets Green Light

Crossfit facility in rugby ground was first proposed 18 months ago

A visualisation of the proposed Crossfit facility in the corner of the rugby ground

August 14, 2026

Wandsworth Council has now approved the long-delayed planning application for a new CrossFit gym at Rosslyn Park, bringing an end to the uncertainty that had hung over the project for more than eighteen months. The decision, issued on 10 August under reference 2025/1743, grants permission for the demolition of the existing office building and the construction of a prefabricated gym on the Upper Richmond Road site.

The approval comes with a detailed set of conditions that will shape how the gym operates. More than half of all annual gym hours must be reserved for Rosslyn Park’s rugby and football teams, a requirement designed to ensure the development meets national rules for Metropolitan Open Land, where new buildings are normally permitted only if they support outdoor sport. The council has also imposed strict opening hours, limiting public access to early mornings and short weekend windows, and has required full compliance with a noise management plan. A post-completion noise assessment must be carried out within two months of opening, and any increase in ambient sound above three decibels will trigger mandatory mitigation before the gym can continue operating. The prefabricated structure must be fully clad within two months, and new landscaping and tree planting must be completed in the first planting season after construction.

The decision follows an unusually high level of public engagement. More than 400 supportive comments were submitted, with members describing the gym as a vital community hub offering coached programmes for all ages and abilities. Many said the facility had become central to their physical and mental wellbeing, providing structure, social connection and a sense of belonging. Around forty objections were also lodged, raising concerns about noise, traffic and the impact on nearby homes. The council’s conditions appear intended to address those issues while allowing the development to proceed.

Before the decision was issued, the operators warned that the prolonged delay had created instability for the business and anxiety for members who feared losing access to the coaching and community they rely on. They argued that the gym offers more than a traditional fitness space, supporting people managing stress, mental health challenges and long-term health conditions. The council had previously declined to comment on the specifics of the application, noting only that the site’s Metropolitan Open Land designation meant the operator was proceeding at its own risk.