PLANS have been given the green light to create new paths at playing fields in Yate.

Applicant Dodington Parish Council submitted plans to install exercise paths around Queen Elizabeth II playing fields off Kelston Close.

The proposals - put forward to South Gloucestershire Council in March - included tree planting and a 500 metre exercise path plus waymarking and signage at the 7.36 acre site.

According to the application, the paths would be between 1.5 to 2.4 metres wide, made of stone dust and would also be accessible to wheelchair and mobility scooter users.

The parish council says the paths will also provide a dry route to nearby schools including Wellesley Primary and Abbotswood Primary, as access points often become muddy.

They also say the scheme will "create opportunities to provide health and wellbeing benefits."

It is understood work will take between eight to 10 weeks.

However, at the time, Sport England objected to the proposed project over their fears about a loss of football pitches at the playing fields.

Following feedback, the site plan was amended to ensure the football playing space remains protected.

The site is currently home to two local football teams including Yate Rangers and Sodbury Albion.

The scheme will cost £152,146 with funding coming from developer funding from the sites of the former Rodford Way Primary School and Wapley Care Home.

Parish council chair Chris Zapata said: “My fellow councillors and I are delighted that planning has been granted for the new exercise path.

“We look forward to working with our staff on the next stage of this project, which will be to appoint a contractor so that we can finally lay the path and do the planting next year.”

SGC Cllr Sean Rhodes cabinet member for communities and local places said: “I’m very pleased to see the exercise path take a step forward by securing planning approvals.

“The all-weather path will be a great addition to the area and will help local people enjoy the green open space in all conditions.

“We are delighted that South Gloucestershire Council was able to support the parish council by negotiating the funding from local developers.”

The application was officially approved by SGC on Thursday, July 25.

You can view the application quoting P24/00759/F or see here - tinyurl.com/duwfxr22