Residents have say on Elephant and Castle

Plans for a leisure centre to be built in Elephant and Castle are being unveiled tomorrow.

The two-acre development, part of Southwark council's £1.5billion regeneration programme, will house a six-lane swimming pool and a learner pool, four sports halls, a gym, spin and dance studios, a crèche and a café.

A 30 to 40-storey building next door will have space for homes, shops and cafés. Architects John McAslan and Partners, and S&P, one of the firms behind the aquatics centre at the Olympic park in Stratford, are leading the project.

Southwark is inviting residents, whose views will influence the final design, to consultation meetings tomorrow and next week. Fiona Colley, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "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."

Elephant and Castle's regeneration will see the creation of a pedestrianised town centre, 2,800 new homes, shops, offices and community facilities, and a £12.3million investment in the refurbishment of leisure centres within the borough.