A new mixed-use scheme in Greenwich, East London, has been given planning permission by Greenwich Council. The zero carbon, Heart of Greenwich, scheme is part of the wider regeneration of East London.

The project, which is a partnership between developers First Base and regeneration agency English Partnerships, will be built on the former site of Greenwich District Hospital.

Designed by Make Architects, Arup and Lovejoy, the development will feature a new health centre with two doctors' surgeries and leisure facilities, including two swimming pools and fitness studios.

The council and the Greenwich Teaching Primary Care Trust which will be responsible for operating the leisure and healthcare facilities.

There will also be a new public square, a library, a créche, retail units, cafès and workspace for the local creative industries, as well as 645 new homes, created under the London-Wide Initiative, managed by English Partnerships.

Philip Dibsdale, area director for South London Gateway at English Partnerships, said: "We believe that the Heart of East Greenwich will have a hugely positive impact on the area and the benefits of the scheme will be felt by the whole community, not only the residents of this new development."

The scheme will be built using sustainable development features such as on-site generation of heat and power using Biomass CHP and thermal storage.

Elliot Lipton, managing director of First Base, said: "The approval of plans for this major London development signals the start of a new wave of green building in the capital."