An ice rink which was on track to becoming a centre of excellence for skaters across Europe will not be good enough to host top competitions, it has been claimed.

Regional status was conditionally approved in 2004 for the rink being built as part of the Streatham Hub, but ice skating chiefs are now unconvinced it will be up to standard for galas and competitive events.

The multi-million pound Hub, which is due to open in 2013, has been designed on behalf of Tesco and Lambeth Council to include a supermarket, 250 homes and a leisure centre.

In an email to stakeholders, Keith Horton, chief executive of NISA (National Ice Skating Association), said it was “ill-advised” to pursue the current design plans, which involve locking one ice-resurfacer machine in the building.

He said it would not be possible to hold the British Championships at the rink if there was only one machine available, adding that he would prefer to hold competitions at Lee Valley where there were better facilities.

He said: “With regard to regional status it does seem very clear that Tesco and the council do not wish to engage and take comment from NISA.

“This, I guess, is their choice and if regional status is not important to them so be it, and we will look elsewhere in London for a rink to support out competitions.”

Trevor Hutton, chair of Save Skating in Streatham, described the news as “devastating”, adding: “There are many poor design features both internally and externally that will damage the long term success of an otherwise excellent project.

“The council will own this leisure centre and should therefore have taken every step to ensure that it is designed to the highest standard both for materials and functionality- but this has not been achieved.”

But councillor Florence Nosegbe, cabinet member for culture, described the claims as a “storm in a tea-cup”, saying the rink was still on course to becoming a centre of excellence.

She said: “Let’s not lose sight of the fact that this is going to be a truly top class facility.

“Work has barely begun on the ice rink and if NISA do have concerns then we are very happy to talk to them about any suggestions they have.”