A few years ago I stood on the site just vacated by the Atkinson Morley hospital in Merton.

Designated Metropolitan Open Land, the ground sloped gently in a southerly direction and comprised meadow, hedgerows, woodland and sports pitches.

The 17 acre site looked to me like a remnant of good old fashioned unspoilt English countryside. As I walked around I admired the solitude and noted the thriving badger setts. A pair of foxes watched me from cover;a resident sparrowhawk zoomed overhead towards distant trees; meadow brown butterflies skipped among the grasses and I wondered about the then uncertain future of the site.

Finally, following years of discussion and deliberation, a most welcome decision has been reached whereby the land will be restored to public access and become a local community park. To be named 'Morley Park', it will provide a vital 'lung' and recreational facility for the area.

Discussions are in progress to create a Community Trust with core members Merton Council as landowners, the Ursuline School, badly in need of sports facilities and members of the local community, all of whom will help the park evolve as a most desirable local asset.

My hope is that the park will not be over-manicured and I am assured that the pristine meadow will retain long grass with paths mown through it with one or two cuts per annum.

Ideally, a range of wild flowers should be planted to attract butterflies like the ringlet butterfly (pictured) and add colour and interest. I look forward to strolling again through those green acres in the not too distant future.