Mayor gives all-clear for ice rink plan

One of London's oldest ice rinks is to be redeveloped as an Olympicsize arena after a change of heart by Ken Livingstone.

The Mayor has lifted his block on plans for Streatham ice arena after assurances from Tesco that it will fully fund a new leisure centre with a rink and swimming pool.

He had delayed the £100 million Streatham Hub scheme for a supermarket, 250 homes and leisure centre for almost two years because of concerns the developer would back out of its promise.

The arena will be in Streatham High Road, once voted the worst high street in the country because of its congestion and large number of police witness appeal boards.

Today, campaigners - who have included Olympic skaters Robin Cousins and Jayne Torvill - said they were delighted the regeneration was to go ahead, but they expressed frustration at the delay caused by the Mayor.

Built in 1931, Streatham ice arena is the second oldest in the capital, after the Queens ice rink in Queensway. It is used by up to 70,000 skaters a year and is home to seven ice-hockey teams.

Planning approval was given by Lambeth council last year but Mr Livingstone ordered it to reverse its decision due to concerns over the safeguarding of sports facilities, and a lack of affordable housing.

Trevor Hutton, of Skaters 4 The Hub, said: "We felt we had this landmark decision last February, only to have it cruelly taken away when the Mayor said the deal wasn't solid enough." Subject to final approval the scheme could be completed within four years.

The new rink and 25-metre pool will be built first, on the former bus garage site.

About 40 per cent of the homes will go to low-paid workers, with Tesco staff getting first refusal on five per cent of them.

Mr Livingstone said: "The latest assurances give me greater confidence [that] the leisure facilities and ice rink will be delivered."