The new Romford Leisure Development in Essex, which includes an ice rink has been given the green light by Havering’s Regulatory Services Committee.

The new project will be located on a compact urban site in Romford centre includes a competition pool and ice rink under one roof, something the town has never seen before.

A new eight-lane 25m pool and kiddie’s learner pool will occupy the ground floor together with the entrance foyer and café, overlooked by a fully-equipped health and fitness gym.

The level above will contain a full size ice rink and spectator seating for 800 people, which will replace the aging existing ice rink on the edge of the town.

Designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects, the building is conceived as a shimmering ‘ice cube’ block of translucent cladding above a largely clear-glazed plinth.

Councillor Michael White said: “This moment represents a significant milestone on our journey to creating a fantastic facility for sport in Romford.

“At a time when a lot of authorities are closing similar facilities, this demonstrates the importance we place on the value of culture and leisure facilities in the borough.”

The Committee, made up of a group of councillors representative of the whole Havering Council, supported the proposals, and will now refer their decision to the Greater London Authority and the Secretary of State.

If they also agree with the proposals, it is anticipated that building work on the site of the new development will start around winter and be completed in 2015.