Construction is underway on a £15.7m mixed-use leisure development in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

The 6.5-acre “Leisure Village” project, developed by Turnstone Estates, will include a new flagship leisure centre, a multi-screen cinema operated by Cineworld and a number of restaurant units.

While the commercial developments have been forward funded by Standard life Investments on behalf of a segregated client, the development’s anchor – a £13.6 leisure centre – has been funded by East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) with the help of a £1.5m Lottery grant from Sport England.

The leisure centre – being built by contractor Pellikaan – will include an eight-lane 25m swimming pool, a learner pool with moveable floor and a health club with a 120-station gym floor, two activity studios and a four-court sports hall.

Outdoor sports facilities include a 3G artificial grass pitch and club pavilion.

The development will be completed in two phases. The cinema and restaurant units are expected to be completed by early 2017 while the leisure centre will open its doors in early 2018.

When it launches, the centre will be managed by GLL on behalf of ECDC.

Tim Deacon, director of Turnstone Estates, said: “Ely Leisure Village will serve a vast catchment north of Cambridge where currently there is no leisure provision.

“Coupled with the proposed swimming and leisure centre in phase two, this is set to be become a major leisure destination.”