An outdoor gym has opened on Moormead Park as the patch of green space hidden away in St Margaret's enjoys a renaissance.

The new outdoor gym joins tennis courts and a children's play area, while residents are now hopeful of getting approval for a new pavilion and café.

There have been more than 900 comments in support of the scheme for the pavilion, which would replace the existing eyesore.

The scheme hit a roadblock earlier this year after Sport England objected to the scheme on the basis it did not include changing rooms and showers for sports teams using are area for football and cricket.

However, it emerged recently that following pleas from the Friends of Moormead Park, Sport England has dropped its objection.

Writing of the group's Facebook page, its chairman Will Flower, wrote: "Sport England has withdrawn its objection to the pavilion design and informed the planning committee at London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

"This is excellent news because it unlocks our application to move to the next stage.

"The redevelopment of the building, a new pavilion for Moormead Park, something for the whole community just got one step closer."

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The scheme involves demolishing the existing pavilion and replacing it with a 'single storey community pavilion to

accommodate a cafe and kiosk, community space, storage space for sports equipment, public toilets and ancillary storage space'.

While there is very strong support from residents, particularly children's sports teams, there have been 45 objections. People are concerned that the new building would create a loss of green space; that the area would 'lose its village green appeal'; and that the café would not attract enough people to be viable.

Comments on the application can be made at this link.