Frustrated residents and businesses have invited Tesco and Lambeth Council to a meeting to grill them on the future of the Streatham Hub development.

The public meeting on October 8, organised by umbrella community organisation Streatham Action, is a result of growing anger and concern from residents at “secrecy” surrounding the future of the mixed leisure, shopping and residential project.

Planning permission was given in 2003 for Tesco to develop a supermarket, and 250 new homes close to Streatham station, on the premise it first build a state-of the-art leisure centre, swimming pool and ice rink next to it.

But six years on construction work has failed to start and residents have watched as their beloved leisure centre and ice rink facilities have deteriorated rapidly.

A source close to the project told the Streatham Guardian how Lambeth Council is so concerned the crumbling ice rink and leisure centres could be forced to close before new facilities are built, it is looking at options to build the facilities without Tesco's help.

This would involve a compulsory purchase order of the bus garage site, currently owned by Tesco, where the leisure facilities would go.

Tesco have been accused of constantly “stalling” the project because it does not want to invest £100m in a major development during a recession and housing market slump.

The supermarket giant maintains it is fully committed to the project, despite the delays.

Patricia Sauer, a spokesperson for Streatham Action, said: “People are sick of waiting, they desperately want to know what is happening.”

Trevor Hutton, from ice rink campaign group Skaters 4 the Hub, said: “The trouble is we are dealing with two organisations, both who have played the confidentiality card too much.”

He warned a lengthy legal battle with Tesco over a compulsory purchase order could delay the new leisure centre by up to 10 years.

A Lambeth Council spokesperson said the council was pleased to be invited to the Streatham Action (forum) meeting and would welcome the opportunity to discuss the Streatham masterplan and projects stemming from that.

But she said for commercial reasons it would not be appropriate to discuss any new details relating to the hub before those negotiations were complete.

She said: "Redevelopment of the Streatham Hub is a landmark regeneration project for the borough and we are keen to ensure that all groups with an interest in the area are kept informed and updated as this scheme - and other regeneration projects in the area -progress.

"We remain committed to working with Tesco to deliver the Streatham Hub project."

A spokesman for Tesco said the supermarket giant were still waiting for an invite - although Streatham Action insisted one had been sent.

He said in theory they would be delighted to meet residents to discuss the project, but would await "the full details of the invite."

The meeting is due to be held on October 8 at the Streatham Business Centre, at 229 Streatham High Road, at 7pm.

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