New football pitches which are owned by the council and are free to use for the local community in White City have opened.
The 3G turf five-a-side pitches at Hammersmith Park Football Centre welcomed its first players on February 29.
The launch forms part of a wider revamp of the Hammersmith Park, agreed after Hammersmith and Fulham Council stepped in to renegotiate the plans from private company Play Football, to acknowledge the concerns and needs of local residents.
The new facility includes a 10-pitch football centre, club house with changing facilities a new cafe and toilets available to casual park users, and a large number of cycle racks.
Play Football agreed with the council a seven-year management contract of the sports centre in place of the previous 35-year lease.
As part of the new deal, free access to three of the pitches for residents with low incomes living close to the centre, as well as a limited parking area and reduced operating hours, was negotiated.
Cllr Guy Vincent, head of contracts at H&F, said: "We worked very hard alongside local residents to secure a better deal for them and now they can finally reap the rewards when these new pitches."
A previous development scheme, signed in March 2014, was for a long-term lease and planning permission to build all-weather sport facilities, bar and a car park.
H&F intervened after residents raised concerns about the scale of the scheme and the loss of potential community use , as the site would be operated by a private company.
Now future plans also include re-installation and upgrade of the tennis courts and playground.
To check free access eligibility, pick up a flyer from White City Community Centre or Wood Lane Community Centre or check online .
Residents that are eligible will need to obtain a membership card to book and use the facilities.
