The leisure centre will include a 25m, eight lane swimming pool, a teaching pool as well as leisure water with flumes and slides.

Replacing the Waterfront Leisure Centre, facilities also include a gym, multi-purpose exercise studios, six-court sports hall, five-a-side hall, squash courts and a health suite and spa with sauna and steam room.

Users will also have access to a  creche, soft play area and party rooms as well as flexible and accessible community spaces.

The project is an important part of the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s ambition to make Woolwich a thriving town centre with high quality public spaces and buildings. The council says the leisure centre will achieve the highest environmental rating of any in the country and its town centre location will makes the site easily accessible by foot, cycle or public transport, supporting the council’s drive to become carbon neutral by 2030.

“Securing planning permission for the project is an important milestone in our investment in the town centre. It’s a demonstration of the council’s ongoing commitment to improve the lives of our residents and make Woolwich an attractive and sustainable place to live and work. There are many vital benefits for local people: accessible, high quality leisure facilities and open spaces, affordable new homes, valuable jobs and more besides,” said Cllr Aidan Smith, cabinet member for regeneration.