Early plans for Elephant & Castle’s new leisure centre go on show

Last year Southwark Council sold the eastern half of the site occupied by the existing Elephant & Castle Leisure Centre to Lend Lease, its development partner for the Heygate Estate redevelopment.

The council plans to use the proceeds of the sale to fund a new leisure centre – with swimming pool – on the western half of the site. Controversially, Lend Lease's development on the front half of the site will not include any affordable housing.

Last summer Lend Lease appointed Squire & Partners to design the residential tower while the council has picked S&P architects to design the new leisure centre.

Dozens of local residents turned out on Saturday for the first day of the public exhibition of the initial proposals for both halves of the site.

"The new leisure centre promises to be a very high quality facility, in the heart of Elephant & Castle's regeneration area, and with a brand new 25-metre pool, one which local people have asked for," says Cllr Fiona Colley, Southwark's cabinet member for regeneration.

“The consultation process throughout the development of Elephant & Castle is extremely important – we want to hear people's views to shape the future of the area. It's this kind of thorough, two-way conversation with those who are interested which results in the best outcomes, the most exciting projects and the most sustainable communities.

“I urge people to come along and voice their opinions, positive and negative, so we can see what the leisure centre could look like."

The new leisure centre will include a new six lane 25-metre swimming pool, learner pool, sports hall, gym, exercise studios, spinning room, creche and cafe. However – despite cross-party calls for a rethink – the council has concluded that squash courts won't be included.

The amount of sports hall space will also be halved compared to the existing centre: the current building houses eight badminton courts' worth of space but the proposals include a single four-court sports hall.

The residential development at the front of the site is likely to include around 280 new homes in a tower between 35 and 37 storeys high, with shops and restaurants at ground level. The plans are expected to include a unit suitable for a small supermarket.

A further public exhibition will be held this spring before planning applications are submitted. If everything runs to schedule, the existing leisure centre will close in the summer, demolition will start in the autumn and the new facility will be open in 2014.

• The public consultation exhibition continues on Monday and Tuesday at the leisure centre.