The long-awaited creation of the Romford Leisure Development has taken a step forward, with demolition work beginning to clear the ground of an old ice rink, allowing Havering Council to concentrate on its own plans for an ice-rink led leisure project.

The development is to see the demolition of the area’s rink in Rom Valley Way, with the site expected to become home to a new Morrison’s foodstore, while the council is to create its own leisure site in Western Road.

The project will potentially see the creation of a progressive facility housing a 56m x 26m ice rink, eight-lane, 25m swimming pool, training pool, fitness suite and other leisure offerings.

There will also be seating for 800 spectators, while both the rink and pool will be built to competition standards.

Originally designs for the project saw the being building constructed to represent a shimmering ‘ice cube’ block of translucent cladding above a largely clear-glazed plinth, echoing part of the ice-led leisure offerings inside.

The project was initially drawn up in 2012, with plans stating that the £25m sale of the old ice rink site would provide adequate funding for the new build.

However, the council last year announced it was investing a further £2m to ensure the project went ahead, predominantly because of inflating costs.

The council is currently going through the necessary phases as it looks to bring its own progressive leisure offering to Western Road.