Work has started on a new multi-million pound training centre in Enfield, North London, which will house Tottenham Hotspur Football Club's (THFC) first team, development and academy squads.

The 67-acre (2.4-hectare) Bulls Cross facility will feature a two-storey building with a basement, which has been designed by KSS architects to incorporate a 70m x 50m (230ft x 164ft) indoor artificial pitch. A learning centre for THFC's academy and educational space, a hydrotherapy/swimming pool, medical facilities, a fitness centre, changing rooms and a media centre also form part of the new building, which will boast a transparent ETFE roof similar to Cornwall's Eden Project.

The club's training centre will also feature 11 outdoor pitches - one artificial pitch and 10 natural grass pitches, a security building near the Whitewebbs Lane entrance and a groundsman's lodge to be used for the storage of pitch maintenance equipment. It is hoped that the facility will enable THFC to help develop and nurture talent, as well as secure major economic benefits for the local area in addition to the club's £2.3m investment in community programmes.

THFC chair Daniel Levy said: "Today marks a significant stage in a long and at times challenging journey to deliver a new training facility for Spurs here at Bulls Cross, one that will be the best in Europe. "We are also totally committed to further developing our community programmes in Enfield with a major investment of £2.3m and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership with the London Borough of Enfield."

Lord Triesman, chairman of the Football Association (FA) said: "The development of the new Tottenham Hotspur training centre is a significant contribution to raising the level of facilities and resources available for football in this country. "This world class facility also highlights the club's commitment to invest in the nurturing and development of home-grown talent, something the FA strongly welcomes."