A major new art, health and leisure centre in West Norwood has taken a step closer to reality.

The council and Lambeth NHS have both signed a formal agreement pledging the £14.2m joint service centre at Norwood Hall will go ahead.

The scheme in Knight’s Hill will feature a 25m pool, an extensive gym, and a dance studio.

There will also be a GP and dental services on site, and access to community meeting venues.

A Lambeth Council customer service centre will also be housed on the site where people can access housing, council tax, benefits and parking services.

The formal agreement to build the project follows the securing of a Private Finance Initiative in July last year.

Susan de Swarte, Norwood Forum chair and member of the project’s community reference group, said the new development would bring much needed health and leisure facilities to West Norwood’s communities.