Hospital redevelopment plans could turn into a "dog's breakfast" if worries over parking provision are not tackled, a councillor has warned.

A major shake up of health services in Merton, called better healthcare closer to home, will see the Nelson and Wilson hospitals rebuilt as local care centres - with GPs' surgeries and clinics offering a range of treatments. A planning application for the Nelson in Merton Park is set to be submitted in October, while one for the Wilson in Mitcham is expected early next year.

But at public meetings about the Nelson scheme this summer residents have criticised its suggested parking space total of 58. The hospital currently has about 100 spaces but is likely to attract more visitors when the work is finished, prompting worries cars will clog the streets around the Kingston Road site - frustrating staff, patients and local people.

A spokesman for Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust, which is carrying out the work, said the figure of 58 was an estimate based on similar schemes elsewhere - and detailed transport surveys were underway, which would be analysed by a transport consultant before a final number was put to the public. She said amended proposals would be put before residents in September.

John sargeant, Merton Park councillor and member of the Nelson Community Reference Group which is monitoring the scheme, urged health bosses to pay greater attention to those who have said more spaces were needed - or the final plans could be flawed.

He said: "We may end up with a bit of a dog's breakfast... People were pretty incensed."