Plans to save a wildlife haven and much-loved park land surrounding Atkinson Morley's Hospital from being sold off to the private sector have moved a step closer, after receiving backing from Merton Council.

The Launching Urban Neighbourhood Green campaign (Lung) aims to set up a charitable trust to buy back 20 acres of woodland and create a Millennium Park, after clinical services are removed from the hospital this spring.

Lung, which incorporates residents' associations in West Wimbledon, the Wimbledon Society and the Wimbledon Civic Forum, enlisted the help of Kingston University to address the community and draft proposals for the new park, which attracted hundreds of visitors to consultation events.

Pat Keith, Lung campaigner and member of the Residents' Association of West Wimbledon, said: "We have had a very good response. We are working on a business plan and exploring different methods of setting up a charitable trust."

Ged Lawrenson, the authority's plans and projects manager, said: "We have been keen to work with the community in revising our planning brief which deals with the planning issues relating to the future use of the redundant hospital and adjoining land." He added that although the council could not purchase the land, or prescribe how open space should be used, it supported the principle of a charitable trust acquiring an interest in the site.

A public meeting will be held on March 17 at Kings College School to discuss the proposals.

January 29, 2003 11:00