Work on the 37-storey St Mary’s residential development will mark the start of the mammoth regeneration project.

Southwark Council gave the go-ahead last night for the 284-home block and a £20m swimming pool and community leisure centre to the west of the St Mary’s site.

The new leisure centre will be built with proceeds from the land sale of the St Mary’s residential scheme.

Designed by Squire & Partners, the development opposite the Underground station, will also include an adjoining four storey pavilion with a residents’ roof garden and 7,000 sq ft of ground floor quality shops, restaurants and creative business space.

Rob Deck, Lend Lease’s Elephant & Castle project director, said: “The decision to give the go ahead for our St Mary’s Residential plans is the most significant milestone to date in the £1.5bn regeneration of Elephant & Castle.

“St Mary’s Residential is also a bold visual marker for the wider regeneration of the area. We’re also very pleased that the decision will enable the brand new public leisure centre to be built, a vital facility for the community.”

Every apartment will boast outdoor space, drainage systems that re-use rainwater for landscaping and water features; ventilation providing 100% clean air inside the homes and the latest technologies to supply clean and efficient energy, water and power.