The £25m planned redevelopment of Kentish Town Sports Centre has been given the green light by Camden Council.

The Victorian baths, which opened in 1901 as a washhouse and laundry, will retain each of its three remaining swimming pools, while a new 125-station health and fitness suite, entrance and two new dance studios will be built.

Flick Rea, executive member for culture at Camden Council, said: “This is a very exciting and challenging project. Seven pools in London have closed in the last 12 years, but Camden is bucking the trend, not only to preserve our heritage and an important piece of local history, but also to provide the best leisure facilities we can for local people.”

The plans were subjected to six-week public consultation, to which more than 400 residents responded.

Work on the Grade II-listed building is expected to start in October next year and be completed in the autumn of 2010.