Building work to create a £1m village square is due to start this month after plans were given the go ahead.

Richmond Council’s planning committee unanimously approved plans to create the square with a garden area, water feature and play facilities in Hampton North on Thursday, April 25.

The site will be dominated by a large oval lawn centred in the square, surrounded by York stone paving and clusters of planting and trees.

The square follows on from a pilot project last year around the Old White House and hopes to provide a vibrant community space to host a range of activities.

Work was due to begin in May and be completed by the autumn.

Councillor Virginia Morris, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “Our vision for Hampton North is to work with local people and businesses to invigorate this corner of our borough by creating a focal point for the community.

“We believe the project will establish a Hampton square that connects different parts of the area.

“The plan is to create a contemporary but classic neutral space with a range of facilities and historical references to farming.

“By turning this underused area into a bustling economically viable village square we hope to breathe new life into this area of Hampton and make it one in which residents will be proud of living.”

Following the demolition of the Old White House the space has already been opened up and a new market has been set up, which the council said it would try to keep going during the development.