A new park is set to open to the public in Hampton, with a mini forest, play equipment and paths.

Richmond Council has approved the plans for Oldfield Road Meadow, which has not been used for more than 10 years.

The 0.6-hectare park will be improved under the plans, which include installing a new footpath around it and play equipment.

A Miyawaki microforest is also set to be created on part of the site, which involves planting trees close together, so they grow quickly.

New pedestrian and vehicular access points will be added to allow the public to get into the park.

The eastern quarter or third of the site will be kept free from footpaths to avoid interfering with the wildlife.

The site, behind St Mary's Hampton CE Primary School, is believed to have been acquired by the council for education purposes.

But it has not been used for more than 10 years and is not needed by the school.

The council's Environment Committee unanimously agreed to change the use of the site from education land to public open space on 7 January. This means it will become a new public nature conservation site.

A report by council officers said: "The site in its current state is not open to the public but there have been instances of unauthorised access through a hole that was made in the chain link fence.

"By opening the site to the public and encouraging it to be regularly used by the local community in a positive way, the project will discourage crime and antisocial behaviour.

"The proposals will align with the key aims of the Corporate Plan creating a greener borough through enhancements to the nature conservation interest to the site, a safer borough by discouraging crime and antisocial behaviour in the area and a fairer borough by improving access to public open green space for the local residents."

The council's parks team is preparing a planning application to install new vehicle access at the park, as this requires planning permission.