THE first stage of work for a new community playing field in North Fitzwarren has been completed.

Work on the project in Stembridge Way was begun on behalf of Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) in November.

The first phase includes the construction of a tennis court, multi-use games area and car park, which was finished at the end of last month.

SWT has allocated approximately £500,000 towards the cost of the project, funded using Section 106 contributions from a nearby housing development at St Modwen.

Deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for sports, parks, leisure and phosphates Cllr Derek Perry said: “As a council, we appreciate how vital local amenities are to improve health across all ages of the community and I’d like to thank our partners for their efforts in helping us to realise this wonderful new playing area.”

The next phase will see the creation of a football pitch and an attenuation pond between the spring and summer, as well as finishing touches to the car park, tennis court and multi-use games area.

Cllr Perry added: “The new games area and playing field will have a significant impact on improving the health and wellbeing of the local community, and with the addition of an all–weather, multi-use games area, it's bound to be well-used by residents all year round.

" I very much look forward to seeing the future formation of local teams competing in a range of field and multi-court sports.”

All facilities are expected to come into use by the autumn of next year, whereby responsibility for the future maintenance of the site will transfer to Norton Fitzwarren Parish Council, who helped choose which facilities would be most beneficial for the local community.