Labour has won funding for multi-million pound new leisure facilities to open in Streatham in 2012. The project – known as the Streatham Hub – will include a new leisure centre, swimming pool and ice rink as well as a new Tesco superstore, a housing development and 600 new jobs. The project will give Streatham high road the boost it needs to bring major regeneration to the area.

Tesco will build the scheme as part of a deal finalised this week by Labour councillors. Labour got tough in negotiations after Tesco put forward proposals that did not meet the expectations of local people. But today’s announcement means the entire original scheme - stalled because of the impact of the recession - will now go ahead as planned.

Labour has secured an additional new benefit by winning funding for a full-size temporary ice rink that will ensure continuity of ice skating in Streatham while the permanent new rink is being built. Residents will be consulted on whether they also want temporary gym and sports space to be provided while building work takes place.

Labour secured Tesco’s agreement to build the entire scheme in one single phase, shaving two years off the completion date. And instead of the superstore being the first element to open, now it will be the public leisure facilities that will open first. Labour councillors will formally agree the deal at a special meeting on Monday 29 March.

This new leisure facilities will transform Streatham. Local people were horrified when the old leisure centre closed on health and safety grounds in December before agreement on its replacement had been secured. Now that future has been guaranteed and I know every Streatham resident will join me in looking forward to some of the country’s most advanced new leisure facilities opening in the area by 2012.

Streatham's new leisure facilities will open in 2012 - thanks to a deal won by Labour councillors