Councillors approve plans for new 32 acre park

Councillors in Wandsworth have backed plans for the creation of London’s newest public park since the 2012 Olympics (July 25th).Members of the planning committee unanimously approved the layout of a new 32 acre publicly accessible green space in the grounds of Springfield Hospital.The entire 81 acre hospital site is being redeveloped to provide new medical facilities alongside nearly 900 new homes plus office, commercial and retail space.Now in a detailed planning application, plans have been agreed for the new public park, which will feature landscaped areas, a pavilion and café, two children’s playgrounds, a trim trail with fitness equipment, and the planting of an additional 414 trees, comprising 27 different species. Large grassed areas would be able to accommodate a variety of informal team sports such as rugby, cricket or football.Other features include a rose garden at the southern edge of the park which will be a more formal setting and include bench seating.A wide variety of planting is planned including a range of flowers, shrubs, trees and grasses. This would also include wetland planting, with new water features proposed to further boost its ecology and bio-diversity. A bridge will be built over one of these water features.