New image of proposed Elephant & Castle tower on leisure centre site

Lend Lease, whose development of 284 private homes on the front half of the leisure centre site will help to fund a new leisure centre on the other half of the plot, has now submitted its planning application to Southwark Council with a decision expected by the end of the year.

Designed by Squire and Partners, the scheme comprises a 37-storey residential building and an adjoining four-storey pavilion with a residents' roof garden and 7,000 sq ft of ground floor shops, restaurants and creative business space.

"Our proposals for the St Mary's development represent an important milestone in sustainable urban living," says Rob Deck, Lend Lease's Elephant & Castle project director.

'We will create a place which has not only high-quality homes and impressive design and architecture, but which also enables residents to reduce their carbon footprint and live in a healthy environment where they interact in community gardens and spaces."

"Lend Lease is committed to the regeneration of Elephant & Castle and St Mary's will set the benchmark in quality design and sustainable development for the wider area.

"Most importantly, the redevelopment will enable Southwark Council to create a brand new leisure centre for the local community and the wider public to enjoy."

Because the Lend Lease tower is helping to fund the new new swimming pool and other facilities, there is no affordable housing in the proposed development.

The new leisure centre building, which is due to open in summer 2014, will be the subject of a separate planning application.

"Local people have long asked for better facilities, with swimming pool to match, and I am delighted that they will now watch it happen; I am certain it will exceed their expectations when it completes," says Cllr Peter John, leader of Southwark Council.

"It will be the icing on the cake in a part of central London that's seeing such an exciting transformation. We've already moved fast to begin this project, and the waiting will soon be over as plans become a reality."