At a meeting of Kingston Council's planning committee on April 13, councillors granted planning permission to turn the 12-acre site at Tolworth main allotments in Berrylands into landscaped open land for community use.

The site is to be financed by the National Lottery Millennium Green fund for up to £45,000 with the Alexandra Millennium Green Trust raising match-funding in cash or kind.

Roy Rathbone, of the trust, said: "The area is really fulfilling one of the recognised deficits in Tolworth of green space and it will also bring to the area something that it hasn't got - a wildlife preserve and very large open space."

The green will feature a Millennium Mound earthwork and an amphitheatre but Mr Rathbone said: "It will be used during the year to host events so we can raise money to support the on-going management and arrangements of the green but there won't be regular weekend events."

Landscaping of the green, which is one of more than 300 funded by the Millennium Green fund, should begin in the summer and last for three months followed by planting over two years.

Entry for walkers will be from King Charles Road and Alexandra Drive and the stream will be diverted to the northern boundary.

Mr Rathbone said: "We are hoping that when people can see that work has started we will get some decent donations of plants and so on."

Trustee and former Berrylands councillor Peter Gray, said: "I am absolutely delighted. The latest plans are very well thought through and it will be wonderful for the local community."