The London Borough of Harrow is to receive a £36m investment in leisure facilities, including a brand new leisure complex at Byron Park.

The leisure centre will replace the existing 40-year-old Harrow Leisure Centre, and draft plans include a six-lane swimming pool, a multi-purpose sports hall, a gym, a café and a piazza.

Local people and sports clubs will be involved from the start in making decisions about what facilities they want included at the centre.

Other plans for the area include a new skateboarding park, a new community centre and a new library.

The local council will pay for the developments by selling council-owned land to housing developers.

Harrow Council leader Chris Mote said: “This is a great deal for residents of Harrow. Not only are they going to get some of the best facilities in London, but they won’t have to pick up the bill.

“In fact, by managing our land assets well and by saving money on our running costs, there will be something like £1m saved to plough back into services and keeping the council tax low.”

Anjana Patel, portfolio holder for community and cultural services, added: “This will give residents leisure facilities for all our local communities, as well as creating more chances for young people to take part in sports and leisure.”