Royal Mail has submitted plans for a major mixed-use redevelopment of its South London centre in Nine Elms, which is scheduled to close in 2012 following an operational review.

The outline planning application lodged with Wandsworth Council features leisure facilities, cafés and restaurants, alongside 1,870 new homes, retail units and postal services. Designed by Allies and Morrison Architects, the scheme is to also include a "significant" part of a proposed Linear Park between Vauxhall Cross and Battersea Power Station.

The 13-acre (5.3-hectare) development lies within the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea Opportunity Area - a former industrial district now undergoing a major transformation. A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "Royal Mail has a clear strategy to ensure we derive maximum value from any property we no longer require.

"This includes selling the freehold or leases which we hold, and, where appropriate, working with planning authorities to ensure that properties we are selling are attractive to new owners."