A new sports park and library at Harold Hill in Havering, East London has been given the go ahead with work to begin later this year.

Located on the council-owned site at Broxhill, the sports park will include modern facilities that will host a range of sports, as well as community gardens and children’s play activities.

The new library, which will replace the existing library on Hilldene Avenue, will be situated within the Hilldene shopping centre and be significantly larger than the existing 1950s building.

Both facilities will be created under the Harold Hill Ambitions programme, which includes plans for a new leisure centre, pool and ice rink in nearby Romford.

Councillor Steven Kelly of Havering County Council, said: “The new sports park will be something really different for the Borough and will bring people together to enjoy sport and have fun in a beautiful setting. We’re looking forward to launching our detailed plans in the near future and seeing what local people think.”

“We’re putting a fantastic new library right at the heart of the community, which will draw more people to the area, keep it vibrant and build on the great success of Harold Hill Ambitions so far.”