Springfield hospital redevelopment to go ahead despite protests

Controversial plans to redevelop a south London hospital site have been given the green light despite protests from thousands of residents and even golfer Colin Montgomerie.

The Springfield Hospital site in Tooting can now be turned into a new psychiatric hospital on the site, alongside 389 homes and an elderly care home, despite the initial plans being turned down by Wandsworth Council.

Springfield Hospital gained notoriety after a series of break-outs, including one in 2004, when escaped paranoid schizophrenic John Barrett stabbed cyclist Dennis Finnegan to death.

There will also be a new school, office space and car-parking, meaning the end of the Central London Golf Centre in Burntwood Lane.

Scottish golfer Montgomerie had backed the campaign against the redevelopment.

MP Sadiq Khan, who supported a residents’ campaign to stop the development, said “ This is an extremely disappointing decision, and  a slap in the face to thousands of local residents whose views have been disregarded by the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles.

“This government has made a promise to put planning powers in the hands of local people – but it has ignored over 4000 residents who opposed this development, the cross-party group of councillors who supported their campaign and the local authority, whose Planning Applications Committee unanimously refused to grant planning permission to this development.

“The decision to delay this announcement until after the Mayoral elections was cynical, and has infuriated residents. 

“I will continue to work with local residents to ensure their views are heard as this development now progresses and the years of building work start.”