Royal Mail's South London Mail Centre, which is to close following an operational review, is to be transformed as part of a new mixed-use scheme approved by the local authority.

Wandsworth Council has approved the Nine Elms Parkside scheme, which has been drawn up by Allies and Morrison Architects and will include a range of sport and leisure facilities.

Cafés, restaurants, bars and a 3.3-acre (1.3-hectare) public park are also planned for the site, which will form a key part of the Nine Elms Linear Park comprising other local schemes.

Nine Elms programme director Helen Fisher said: "The proposal would see this vast site brought back into use after the mail centre closes and more than 3 acres of new park land created."

Other redevelopment schemes recently approved for the Nine Elms area include Embassy Gardens. The area also includes the Battersea Power Station site.

Details: www.nineelmsparkside.com