Further details have emerged of the proposals to replace Battersea Sports Centre (BSC) with affordable housing.

It has now been confirmed the plans are for low rent social housing, for families on the council’s housing waiting list. About 90 new homes could be provided for those currently living in cramped and overcrowded conditions.

If the plans are approved the council expects to spend £1.3m on a new all-weather sports pitch in Falcon Park and said Battersea Sports Centre would stay open until at least autumn this year.

Executive member for housing at Wandsworth Council, Councillor Paul Ellis, wrote to the Wandsworth Guardian and said: "Looking further ahead we are planning to build a brand new, state-of-the-art sports centre right in the very heart of Battersea on the Winstanley estate.

"This is a cornerstone of the regeneration masterplan we have developed over the past year and could open in around 2019."

Will Martindale, Battersea’s Labour MP candidate, has launched a campaign against the sport centre closure and has written to council leader Councillor Ravi Govindia.

He said: "The public expects the council to deliver affordable housing - and they know this can be done without demolishing sports centres."

He has joined forces with Team GB table tennis star Darius Knight. Mr Martindale is holding a meeting at the sports centre on Saturday, January 24, from 1pm to 3pm, to discuss the proposals.