Experts asked to examine environmental impact of major plans for Finsbury leisure centre

Islington Town Hall. Photograph: Islington Council.

Planning experts have been asked to look at whether a new development on the site of Finsbury leisure centre and its sports pitches will impact the environment.

Islington Council hopes to replace the current leisure centre off Old Street with a new one, a medical centre, energy centre, and up to 200 homes, including 100 council homes.

The scheme would also see improvements to nearby public spaces at Toffee Park Adventure Playground and Radnor Street Gardens.

The Town Hall has asked its planning team to draw up a “screening opinion”, which will look at the possible environmental effects of the plans. These could include predicted changes to pollution levels and biodiversity.

If a full assessment is needed, the council will issue a scoping opinion about the kind of details that should be included in an environmental statement.

The council held a consultation with residents and people who use the centre this summer, and said it is still in pre-application discussions.

“As yet, there are no agreed proposals for the site,” said a spokesman. “This includes the height of any of the proposed buildings.”

People living in overcrowded social housing in Bunhill will be on the priority list for the scheme’s 100 council homes, along with those who want to downsize.

The council hopes to submit a planning application early next year and start work in the autumn if the scheme wins approval from the planning committee.

It expects to open the new leisure centre in 2025.

Residents fear the scheme could see sports pitches moved to the roof of the new leisure centre.

One local told the council that he is worried that replacing open space with concrete would add to the impact of urban heat, made worse by climate change.

He also questioned the possible loss of mature trees near the current sports pitches – something he said “would be detrimental to the biodiversity but also limit the community’s ability to access nature, be it the birdsong in the mornings or the shade of the tree when playing sports”.