Plans for a two-storey community pavilion on Latchmere Recreation Ground have been given the green light, despite objections from residents worried about the building’s size and the impact on traffic and parking in nearby roads.

The planned sports facility, designed for martial arts, fitness classes and community use, was proposed by Satinder Sehra of the Khalsa Karate Federation, and supported by Kingston town neighbourhood committee, which called it “a big step forward for the community in the area”.

However, north Kingston resident Diane Smith, who spoke at the development control meeting on April 21, said: “I think it has got to have much more community benefits and I don’t see how much access to the building is community minded.”

The committee unanimously approved the application, attaching conditions guaranteeing permanent use of the facilities by users of the playing fields and public access to the toilets.

Following residents’ concerns, Tudor ward councillors will hold a public meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday, May 13, at Tudor Hall to hear details of traffic management and proposed community use.