The council is seeking permission for a scheme that would see the 1960's artificial football pitch at the Tooting Triangle site in Tooting Common replaced with a modern equivalent.

The existing buildings at the triangle would be revamped and modernised to offer changing rooms, new showers, a mini café, publicly available toilets and a children's recreation and play area, including an extended outdoor play area.

The council says a key part of the scheme would see part of the refurbished building given over for use by The Balham Amateur Boxing Club so that it can continue its community work with young people in this part of the borough.

Because the existing buildings and the adjacent 1960s artificial pitch at the Triangle are located on Tooting Common permission is needed to proceed with the scheme from the Secretary of State.

Many residents have been campaigning against the plans, stating that the common belongs to the public and that it shouldn't be privatised, commercialised or enclosed.

On the website 'Stop The Commercialisation of Tooting Common', campaigners write: "It will permanently damage one of the few large areas of common in London not bounded by roads, an area that is currently devoted to informal recreation."

The council's community services spokesman Cllr Steffi Sutters said: "If the minister approves these plans it will be great news for schools, sports clubs, young people and parents in this part of Tooting.

"We have drawn up plans to refurbish and improve the facilities at the Triangle which can be achieved without losing a single blade of grass on the common. This scheme covers only land that has already been built upon – there is no loss whatsoever of any of the common's green space.

"There will be no impact at all on the natural open spaces of Tooting Common which local people rely on so heavily for their leisure, recreation and mental well-being.

"Not only would the common be protected from any encroachment but the Triangle would get a new all-weather pitch and the boxing club a permanent home, with state schools in the area to use the sports pitch free of charge.

"The scheme would also offer a bigger and better, secure and dog free play area for toddlers and young children, both indoors and outdoors. Parents and carers would still be able to bring their very young children to the Triangle and continue to enjoy the supervised play facilities and socialise with other mums, dads and toddlers from the area. Our plans would see these facilities available every day of the week from 8am into the early evening."

What else do campaigners think is negative about the plans?

• Campaigners say the plans are not in keeping with its surroundings.

The 'Stop The Commercialisation of Tooting Common' website states: "It is an area of the common widely used for picnics and informal recreation and the proposed football pitch is adjacent to a playground for very young children."

• Campaigners claim there has been no transport study done for the plans.

The 'Stop The Commercialisation of Tooting Common' website states: "There has been no transport study on the likely effect of the facility to the common and its neighbourhood - which lies in neighbouring Lambeth Borough - despite a total absence of dedicated parking."

"The new facility will cause extreme congestion at the narrow entrance to the common, diminishing the experience of the common for its other users."

• Campaigners say noise pollution will be an issue with the plans.

The 'Stop The Commercialisation of Tooting Common' website states: "The Triangle Field is the most quiet and secluded part of Tooting Bec Common. The noise from several teams playing and training throughout the day and evening, while others wait to go on or to leave will destroy the peace enjoyed and valued by residents."

The decision to seek an improvement in the facilities at the Triangle was endorsed in November 2018, following public consultation, when the council's finance and corporate resources overview and scrutiny committee formally backed plans to replace the existing artificial pitch and revamp its adjacent changing rooms and community facilities.

The triangle's current all-weather floodlit pitch, which covers an area of some 3,800 square metres, was first built in the 1960s and the council says it needs a complete overhaul.

The council claims that the playing surface is badly worn and is largely overlooked and ignored by local schools and sports clubs because it's in such a poor state.

Under the proposals the council says state schools in the area would be able to use the upgraded pitch free of charge.

Councillors have reiterated their commitment to keeping the triangle's important children's facilities open and available to all local parents, with fully trained staff providing stay and play sessions.

The substantial funding and investment to deliver these improved facilities will come from a commercial partner in return for a 25-year lease on the site.

The council says this means no local council taxpayers will cover the cost and they will remain in control of the site.

Having received planning permission from borough planners in May of this year following local consultation, the final decision now rests with the Government's planning inspectorate and the Secretary of State.