The leaders of neighbouring boroughs have clashed over the decision of Boris Johnson to "call in" a controversial planning application that would result in Wimbledon’s football club returning home.

In December, Merton Council’s planning committee approved AFC Wimbledon’s application for Plough Lane, a redevelopment of the greyhound stadium to a 20,000 seat stadium, as well as 602 flats, a creche, parking, shops and a squash and fitness centre.

The site, on the border with Wandsworth, was not popular in the borough, where concerns were raised about parking and transport.

On March 23, it was announced that the Mayor of London would call in the application to review the decision made by Merton Council.

Leader of Wandsworth Council, Ravi Govindia, said: "We have asked Boris to take an interest in this scheme, because it is right on our border and even AFC Wimbledon accept that their fans will be travelling in from Earlsfield and Tooting Broadway.

"We expect that new residents will be travelling to schools and doctors’ surgeries in Wandsworth too.

"We might get all of the pain and none of the advantages."

Cllr Govindia said his main concerns centred on dealing with the infrastructure necessary for such a large development and he hoped Wandsworth Council could be more involved in that.

He said: "We would like to be in the shared driving seat in planning how we meet the needs of the new population that comes into the area with schools, doctors’ surgeries and pressure on open-place facilities for children.”

Leader of Merton Council, Cllr Stephen Alambritis, who is a vocal supporter of AFC Wimbledon, described Boris Johnson’s decision as "very, very disappointing".

Speaking last week to the Wimbledon Guardian, he said: "It’s a very disappointing decision on the part of a Mayor who has had other things on this mind.

"I don’t know why, given the unanimous decision, the response to the consultations and his own Greater London Assembly officers asking him to approve it, the Mayor is stalling. I think it is very poor on his part to hand the decision to a new Mayor."

As the Mayoral election is due to to take place on Thursday, May 5, it is unlikely that this process will begin until July, at which point it will be taken over by the new Mayor.