Plans to bulldoze a shopping centre in Elephant and Castle have received final approval. 

The proposals will see the centre demolished, 979 homes built and a new university campus created.

The scheme was approved by the Mayor of London's office at a planning meeting on 10thDecember.

The plans were initially approved by Southwark Councilin July but needed the mayor's sign-off.

A mayoral spokesman said City Hall had "secured an unprecedented level of support for traders affected".

The regeneration proposalsinclude the construction of a new campus at the London College of Communication, more retail space, a 35-storey tower, and a new Tube station entrance.

Of the 979 new homes to be built, 116 will be socially rented properties.

Development manager Delancey committed to providing 5% of the new properties in line with "London Living Rent", while a new agreement ensures 10% of the retail space across will be kept "affordable".

It also includes 35% affordable housing and is expected to create 1,230 construction jobs over 10 years, developers said.

A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: "City Hall has used the planning powers available to their fullest extent to make sure these plans represent a good deal for the local area and, having considered all the evidence available, has decided to approve this application.

"City Hall has secured an unprecedented level of support for traders affected, with their rents now capped below market rates for 15 years, and has got the level of rents in the affordable homes down even further."

Carvil was appointed to provide it with public affairs services and lead the consultation on the planning application to deliver a new town centre for Elephant & Castle.