Arsenal in U-turn on sports centre

A new indoor sports centre will be built at the Emirates Stadium after a U-turn by Arsenal.

In July, Arsenal were told to go back to the drawing board after submitting plans for 700 flats across five 21-storey tower blocks.

But the Premiership leaders have now drawn up a revised planning application for the Queensland Road site in Holloway, which is understood to include a replacement for the former JVC sports centre at the old Highbury Stadium.

The U-turn follows a campaign by MPs, local residents and famous Arsenal supporters to get the sports centre rebuilt for the benefit of the local community.

Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, said: "Well done Arsenal and well done to all the people who have campaigned and signed petitions to make a reality of what was promised in the original planning application for Emirates Stadium."

Ian Shacklock, of Monsell Road, Highbury, organised a 3,000-signature petition signed by actor and fan Alan Davies and Mayor Boris Johnson.

Mr Shacklock said: "The JVC centre was a fantastic advert for Arsenal. To lose it was a tragedy, especially after we had been promised it would be rebuilt."

But Terry Stacy, deputy leader of Islington council, said: "No new planning application has yet been received and it would be speculative to comment until we see one."