INTERNATIONAL praise rained down on the new £22m Laban dance centre when a panel of experts met at Westminster.

The development in Deptford's Creekside was the subject of a meeting at the House of Commons, where Lewisham and Deptford MP Joan Ruddock was joined by the director of Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum and other officials.

Bilbao, on the Spanish coast, has been revitalised by a regeneration project centring around the museum. Mr Vidarte said Lewisham could achieve the same success through the Laban construction.

He said: “The Laban is going to be a spectacular building and I find it easy to imagine the spaces alive with the activity of dancers, students and schoolchildren.

“It is exciting to think about all the people who will work and learn and be inspired here in years to come. I know from what a huge impact a building of this quality and vision can have for the people and the economy.”

As the focus for the Creative Lewisham scheme, the 7,800 square metre centre will become the biggest purpose-built dance centre on its completion in July next year.

Creative Lewisham is being led by the man who revamped Barcelona, architectural guru Charles Landry.

The project, funded from Lewisham Council's £750m annual budget, seeks to turn the borough into an international haven for the creative arts.

The construction is headed by Michael Casey, of Herzog and de Meuron, the Swiss architectural firm.

Following the sneek preview of the site, Mr Casey explained the significance of the Laban centre to Lewisham.

He said: “We're trying to create a building with a unique quality which stands out. The Laban centre is a point of reference and because of its size it will become a beacon for the area. To balance the building, we are also creating a large garden, which we believe is important.

“Dance is a unique activity and the Laban centre will be a unique dance centre.”

Mrs Ruddock also spoke of her optimism for Deptford in the future.

She said: “Anything Bilbao can do, we can do. Their story is fantastic. It proves if you get great architects together one building can become a catalyst for the regeneration of an entire area. I am thrilled the building is coming on so well.”