A huge £2bn redevelopment has been approved to completely change the country's biggest fruit, vegetable and flower market.

Part of the ongoing regeneration efforts in Nine Elms, the approval was given by Wandsworth Council last night to transform parts of New Covent Garden Market.

As well as 3,019 high-rise luxury flats, roof top football pitches, a gym and a doctor's surgery are also part of the plans.

The scheme is expected to contribute £91m towards improvements to infrastructure in the area, including transport upgrades on the Northern Line extension, announced yesterday.

Traders at the fruit, vegetable and flower market fear residential development could threaten the livelihood 

Some of the 2,500 market traders  have already left because of concerns about space, rent and how building work will affect trade.

About 20 per cent of the homes are to be held back for Wandsworth residents to buy or rent through affordable housing schemes.

Cycle and footpaths will pass through the area, including two sections of the Nine Elms 'linear park'.

A new retail market is planned to stand alongside a visitor centre and education space focused on the food industry.

Sarah McDermott, chairman of Wandsworth's planning committee, said: "The market is the biggest single development site in Nine Elms and an incredibly valuable source of local jobs.

"Its revival is key to our vision for the area and the redevelopment of its perimeter sites will fuse together key sections of the new people friendly environment we are creating here."

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