Plans for the final phase of regeneration for the area surrounding Arsenal Football Club's new Emirates Stadium have been approved by Islington Council.

The Queensland Road development, located adjacent to the stadium, will include a 22,000sq m Arsenal Sports Centre to support the club's educational and social inclusion community programmes as well as more than 700 new homes. When deciding to build the new stadium, the club chose not to leave the surrounding area to piecemeal developments and expanded its plans to a wider regeneration of the area. Other parts of the approved masterplan, designed by CZWG Architects in conjunction with HOK Sport, have included a community health facility, residential units and a 13,300sq m mixed-use commercial space.

Arsenal director Ken Friar said: "We had tremendous support from many Islington residents who wrote to the council to support the proposals and this is very much appreciated by the club. "So far, as a result of building Emirates Stadium, we have transformed over 60 acres of derelict land, delivered over 2,500 new homes and constructed a new waste recycling centre. We have created hundreds of new local jobs and business opportunities for local firms, developed new open spaces and, not forgetting, a world class football stadium. We are all so proud of what has been achieved.”

Consultants on the project include Hepher Dixon, Alan Baxter & Associates and Buro Happold. Construction work on the housing element is expected to kick off this summer, but a timeline for the centre hasn't been finalised.