A shortlist has been announced of teams to design a new £5m library in Southmere Village.

The new library and civic centre will be part of the first phase of 1,6000 new homes to be built in Abbey Wood and south Thamesmead.

It will be located on the south side of Southmere Lake, not far from the new Elizabeth Line at Abbey Wood Station.

The building will have a library and learning space on the ground floor with potential for civic functions on the upper floors.

Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, councillor Teresa O’Neill OBE said: “It’s great that we are one step closer to the development of a building that will be so key to the local community. I’m really looking forward to seeing some interesting designs that capture the essence of all the great regeneration work currently taking place in Thamesmead.”

The shortlisted teams are: Adam Khan Architects, Architecture 00 Ltd Studio Weave, Bisset Adams Ltd, Keith Williams Architects, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, Norway.

John Lewis, executive director Thamesmead at Peabody said: “We would like to thank everyone who expressed an interest in working on this project. It is clear there are many talented practices who share our excitement about providing a brand new state-of-the-art library and civic building for Thamesmead.

"We look forward to hearing more from the shortlist about their proposals. We’ll be working with the local community, the council, and design experts to make sure we get the best possible result for the area. As we approach Thamesmead’s 50th birthday in 2018, I hope this building will become an emblem of London’s new town finally fulfilling its potential.”

The shortlisted teams will now begin work on their design proposals which Peabody and the council will consult on prior to the final decision being taken by the Evaluation Panel in October 2017.

Last year, Peabody announced proposals for a £1bn regeneration programme for Thamesmead over the next ten years.