The proposed £8m redevelopment of Earls Court in London has been given the go ahead by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

The Earls Court Exhibition Centre is be to demolished as part of new plans to create a 77-acre redevelopment site in Earls Court and West Kensington.

The ambitious proposals, drawn up by Sir Terry Farrell for Capital & Counties Properties, include leisure facilities, hotel and retail space, a new primary school, library, an integrated health centre and five-acre public park.

The 10m sq ft (929,000sq m) plan will span the two boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham and is expected to provide 7,500 new homes.

Boris Johnson said: “I’m in no doubt that the development will provide a massive boost not just to this part of the capital, but to London’s wider community as well.”