New sports facilities costing £500,000 will soon be delivered on the outskirts of Taunton after plans were approved by district councillors.

Somerset West and Taunton Council will be working with Carrick Leisure to deliver a new set of facilities in Norton Fitzwarren, north of the village’s current playing field and pavilion.

The development – which will include a new full-size football pitch, tennis court and a multi-use games area (MUGA) with a hard surface – is being funded by contributions from the Langford Mill housing development in the south of the village, which is being delivered by St. Modwen.

Following confirmation of the funding in early-July, the council’s planning committee voted to grant permission for the scheme when it convened in Taunton on Thursday morning (September 15).

Tom Catherall, who sits on Norton Fitzwarren Parish Council, told the committee that work needed to start soon to ensure the facilities could be ready for the 2023/24 football season.

He said: “We fully support this application and are resolved to get this long-running saga finally approved.

“This project is vital for our village and for the wider area, considering the increasing population of the village and the neighbouring parishes.

“If our local football team is fortunate enough to get promoted, we will be able to play on a full-sized, FA-recommended pitch. We will allow junior games to continue on the existing pitch.

“As you know, there has been a lot of interest very recently with the Lionesses, so we hope we will get a ladies’ team in the village as well.”

In addition to the new sports facilities, the existing access track off Stembridge Way will be improved, leading to 40 new car parking spaces and access also being enhanced to the neighbouring allotments.

An attenuation pond will also be created by Carrick Leisure at the western end of the field to ensure the new facilities can be adequately drained and reduce the flood risk to the nearby residential properties.

Councillor Mark Lithgow welcomed the proposals, stating: “What’s not to like?

“The only thing I wouldn’t want to do on that site is fly a kite, because of the pylons going across the top. But apart from that, I think it’s absolutely fantastic.”

Councillor John Hassall concurred: “Long before I came down to live in Somerset in 2006, I had the pleasure of playing cricket on that ‘old rec’, as it was known.

“The facilities obviously weren’t as great as we’re aspiring to now, so I’m delighted to support this.”

Councillor Roger Habgood added: “I think this is a great addition to the village – bearing in mind a lot of the people who live there. I know it has an association with the [military] camp [40 Commando] – it’s got its own feel.”

After around half an hour’s debate, the committee voted unanimously to approve the plans.

Further improvements to play and leisure facilities in the village may be secured at a later date if permission is granted for 400 new homes near the town’s former railway station – which could also see the final stage of the village’s relief road delivered.