Proposals to knock down a leisure centre and build a new facility as part of a major development plan are being put forward by a London borough council.

Britannia Leisure Centre, which was built in two stages in the late 1970s and 1980s, now needs replacing, according to Hackney Borough Council.

A consultation document says that mechanical and electrical systems at the centre need replacing and there are leaks from the health suite into the pool circulation area and from the swimming pool tanks into the surrounding ground. The pool was closed for three days earlier this year after a water pipe burst, which required significant repair work.

The cost of refurbishing the centre would be approximately £14million and would take up to two years.

The consultation paper says: “We think it would be more effective to build a new leisure centre which better suits the needs of its users, is attractive, modern, more efficient to operate, and secures leisure provision in the area for the next generation and beyond. The aim would be to close Britannia Leisure Centre only when the new centre is open.”

The new leisure facility, which would face onto Shoreditch Park, would include a 25-metre swimming pool, a new learner pool, an introduction to water area – with a flume, a children’s soft play area, squash courts, fitness studios, six-court sports hall, a larger gym and two five-a-side football pitches.

As well as the new leisure centre, plans include a new secondary school and affordable and private sale housing. The private housing would contribute to the cost of the leisure centre, secondary school and improvements to Shoreditch Park Primary School.

A two-month consultation ends on 12 February. The authority plans to make a decision on how to proceed in April.