Residents oppose hospital plans

3:01pm Sunday 12th October 2008

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Wandsworth residents who live near Springfield Hospital had a chance to give their views on the proposed redevelopment of the site at a public meeting last week.

The plan put forward by the South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust, who own the site, includes 1,200 homes, new mental health facilities, a residential care home, a church, a primary school and shops which will be built over a ten-year period.

But the overall feeling at the event organised by Hebdon Road residents, Hans-Jeurgen Moesch and Thom Reilly, at The Hub at St Peter’s Church in Beechcroft Road on Wednesday was one of opposition.

The biggest concerns were over parking, transport, the environment and overcrowding, as there could be 2500 new residents if the plan goes ahead.

The much-loved golf course will also go, and there is talk of building a heat and power centre which would need at least two lorry loads of fuel per day.

Despite residents acknowledging the hospital itself is in much need of redevelopment, there was strong disagreement over the plans as they stand.

One concerned resident said: “It will be 10 years of building, noise and mayhem.”

Thom Reilly, the main speaker at the meeting, called for residents to sign a petition and form residents’ groups with a representative for each street that will be affected, to fight against the plans.

Mr Reilly said: “There is a real community feel in the area and that is part of the joy of living here, and if a lot more residents moved in it would ruin it.

“That’s why it is so important that the local community comes together to oppose the plans in their current form and sign the petition. We need as many signatures as we can get.”

The proposals are currently at the planning stage and a recent application to Wandsworth Council was rejected because it didn’t contain enough information on the heights of some of the proposed buildings - which could reach eight-storeys - as well as the impact on the site’s listed buildings and transport issues.

But when the developers do provide the full information required by the council, a consultation period will open to give residents a chance to make objections.

To sign the petition or for more information on the plans and upcoming meetings visit springfieldhospital.googlepages.com.