The delay was revealed in the Chief Executive’s report at the Trust’s February Board Meeting.

The plans were rejected by Wandsworth Council’s Planning Application Committee in December, and the decision was confirmed by the Greater London Authority in January.

Springfield Hospital now have the option of appealing the decision – and overruling Wandsworth Council’s decision - which has angered residents who do not want to see taxpayers money on a development that has been overwhelmingly rejected by the local community.

Thousands of residents objected to the plans, which would see the loss of the Central London Golf Centre, and the construction of over 850 new residential units on the site, which will put huge pressure on local transport, highways, public services and infrastructure that are already strained to breaking point.

In addition to 4000 objections from local residents, the campaign against the development has secured the support of Sadiq Khan MP, local councillors, golfers Colin Montgomerie and Paul Casey, as well as the English Golf Union, the London Playing Fields Association and Sport England. 1724 golf centre users and local residents have also signed a petition objecting to the loss of the golf centre.

Tooting MP Sadiq Khan, who has worked with local residents since 2008 to try and secure a development that is acceptable to the local community, said, “I’m pleased they have deferred this decision and are taking the time to ensure that their next step is the right one.

“The key thing now is that Springfield Hospital do the right thing, and agree not to waste more taxpayers money and goodwill in the local community by appealing this decision.

“An appeal is clearly not in the best of the local community, service users and taxpayers.”