Building has begun on the £14.7million redevelopment of Forest Gate’s Atherton Leisure Centre.

Foundations have been laid and a steel skeleton erected to replace the old building with a new structure housing two community swimming pools, a gym, exercise studios, a creche and a cafe.

Newham Council’s cabinet member for finance, regeneration and planning, Cllr Lester Hudson, said: “It is good to see work progressing on the new centre.

“When completed, this centre will be a fantastic new addition to our leisure and will provide enhanced services and the latest facilities for residents.

“The council remains committed to investing in services that are important to local people and delivering a high-quality leisure centre is one of many ways in which Newham Council is achieving this.”

Setbacks during demolition found the site to be in extremely poor condition, extending the time taken to clear it and lay foundations – but it is now set to open in early 2016.

Developers Mulalley have planned an eco-friendly conversion system to turn waste heat into electricity.

And the centre’s roof will be used to harvest rainwater, forming a garden founded on recycled soil.

Director Eamon O’Malley has hailed the centre as a “landmark”.

“This new leisure centre will be a credit to Newham providing state-of-the-art leisure facilities for future generations to learn to swim and enjoy,” he said.

The site will also bring new homes to the borough, with house-building expected to be under way toward the end of 2015.