A temporary car park set up on a heritage site nearly two years ago is set to be made permanent, if a planning application is approved.
Hardcore gravel was laid in the Grade II listed heritage site in Wimbledon Park, off Revelstoke Road, in 2012 to allow London Underground Limited to carry out work on the nearby track.
However after work was completed the gravel was not cleared and instead the council submitted an application to turn it into a permanent car park with 52 spaces to the dismay of residents who had sought for the site to be returned to green space.
A decision on whether to approve the car park was deferred at a meeting in September after councillors requested more information on the use of the site and justification of its proposed size.
Tomorrow evening the application will once more go before councillors at a planning committee which officers have recommended for approval.
Iain Simpson, chairman of the Wimbledon Park Residents Association, said: "The application was heavily criticised and was deficient in a number of areas.
"There’s a huge weight of opinion that says an additional car park is not necessary.
"The council has not in any way justified the need for it through the surveys or transport information that they have provided.
"Their definition of demand is to put a car park there and make it available and it fills up so there is a demand is a highly simplistic way of approaching things.
"We have suggested they introduce pay parking in the existing car park to deter people who are parking there not to use the park."
He added: "It’s a grade two listed park and there has been no consideration to the effect on the views of the park.
"There's going to be a great long line of cars parking and it’s a loss of green space."
Council officers believe the application is acceptable and will "preserve the character and appearance" of the park.
In recommending the car park be made permanent council officers said in their report: "The proposed development would not result in the loss of any open space, and would provide essential recreational facility enhancements, to the long term benefit of the users of the park."
A decision is expected to be taken by at a meeting on Thursday, October 10.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here