THIS is what the new community centre at the "heart" of the Kingsmere estate will look like.

The latest addition to the major development will serve the growing number of people moving to the project south west of Bicester.

And building work will start on the eco-friendly facility later this year.

Nestled in next to a day nursery and shops, Kingsmere community centre will be a space available for local groups and those wanting to host private functions.

It will feature a ground-floor café, multi-purpose hall and a youth facility in an adjacent building.

Deputy town mayor of Bicester Les Sibley said he welcomed the news with "open arms".

He added: "It's a great venue and in a bubbly area on the estate.

"It's something that has been lacking in Bicester for many years, and this will hopefully change that.

"This is what people need and it's nice to see it coming together. I hope to see it being used by all and be open seven days a week."

Cherwell District Council will take control of the centre once it is built, but talks are ongoing to find a community group to run the day-to-day operations.

Andrew Carrington, director of developers Countryside Properties Ltd said he was "delighted" after they secured planning permission for the community centre last month.

He added: "What will serve as the heart of Kingsmere can now be delivered.

"We hope that the community centre will become a place where people can meet, spend time socialising and relaxing, and ultimately form the foundations of a thriving new community."

The community centre comes after building started on the farmland site off Middleton Stoney Road and Oxford Road in 2010.

It has outline planing permission for up to 2,450 homes and so far about 600 have been built, along with two new primary schools, a secondary school and a hotel.

A new sports villages is also currently being developed.

The community centre will be built next to a convenience store, day nursery, and a number of shops.

A car park will also be built along with two bicycle shelters catering for up to 20 bikes