FORMAL plans for a complete overhaul of Shepherd's Bush Green have been welcomed by traders, who say public toilets and better landscaping are sorely needed in the area.

The £3m regeneration project - paid for with cash from the new Westfield shopping centre - will create grassy mounds and open spaces, a new building with a café, toilets and baby changing facilities, a toddlers play area and a new children's play-ground.

It will also result in a multi-purpose sports court and a new plaza around the grade II listed war memorial.

Traders hope the scheme will put an end to late night revellers using their toilets because of a lack of public facilities. But some believe more needs to be done to improve the look of the surrounding shops as well.

Anna Macaulay, 27, retail assistant at Jumbuck's Aussie Pies, said: "It does need a bit of a facelift. It's pretty much just a big open space at the moment and it needs an upgrade, but the dog area they have there now is quite good.

"It's awesome that there will be new, clean toilets. There are a couple at the moment but they're disgusting. We get people coming in all the time because we're often open late."

Details of the scheme are set out in a planning application submitted by Hammersmith and Fulham Council last week.

Locksmith Jose Arias, who runs a business in the West 12 Shopping Centre, facing the green, said: "It would be nice if they improve it. The only problem is that you'll always have alcoholics and other people hanging around, but you can't take that away from society.

"The shops on the other side need attention and it could be kept cleaner. Anything that makes somewhere look nicer has to be good for the area."

The project is part of the council's ParkLife campaign to improve the borough's parks and open spaces and encourage more people to use them.

Residents' services leader Paul Bristow said: "This project will breathe new life into a green space that needs regenerating."

The plans are due to be published at www.lbhf.gov.uk/planning .