WORK has begun on a contemporary new sports village which will benefit residents of all ages in Winterbourne, as well as pupils at the village's four schools.

Bulldozers have been brought in to The Ridings High School to begin work on the £1.5 million complex, which will house a full-size pitch suitable for football or hockey, or three five-a-side pitches. It will also cater for tennis and netball.

The centre, which will see the playing field behind the school transformed, is expected to be completed by the end of October.

The first of three stages in the building work is now underway, whereby a new turning point for school buses will be constructed.

Also included in the development, which created some opposition during the planning process, will be a new vehicular access point into the sports village from Flaxpits Lane and a number of extra car parking spaces.

Headteacher at The Ridings, Dr Robert Gibson, said the scheme was a breakthrough for Winterbourne, where more sports facilities are so badly needed.

He told the Gazette : "This is a great development for the school and the community as a whole. It has been very carefully designed and thought through and there is extensive landscaping work to be added. Hopefully it will be a very attractive feature for Winterbourne."

When plans for the sports village were under scrutiny at South Gloucestershire Council last June, several nearby residents and parish councillors showed their opposition. They expressed concern over the light and noise pollution from the floodlights to be installed and the time to which the all-weather pitch will be used.

However, Dr Gibson added: "The Ridings is one of the most successful and largest schools in the country and for many years it has suffered because of a lack of investment and support.

"This is an investment for the future and one which I hope the people of Winterbourne will be proud of."

Funds for the scheme have come from a variety of sources including the National Lottery and when it is finished, the school's sports facilities will meet Ofsted recommendations. Plans for a sports hall are also currently under assessment although Dr Gibson said a number of options were being considered.

Due to the work in progress, the footpath running parallel to the school's tennis courts and the public library will be closed. On completion, use of the path will be reserved for pupils and parents accessing St Michael's Primary School.

Swimmers hoping to park outside the public pool just off Flaxpits Lane may have to think again whilst building work is taking place. Other options will be made available between now and October.

A liaison group, featuring a number of parish councillors, building project managers and Dr Gibson has now been set up and will meet regularly during the construction period to ensure all goes smoothly. It intends to respond to issues from the community as they arise and met for the first time last week.