It's all systems go for a new £1m sports hub in St Martins.

Months of negotiations have taken place between St Martins Parish Council, Shropshire Council, St Martins School and landowner Ian Hill-Trevor of the Brynkinalt Estate since the Advertizer revealed the scheme earlier this year.

Agreement has now been reached on every major decision – and the bulldozers could start moving in as soon as March.

The initial site for the sports centre was altered slightly to make better use of land owned by Mr Hill Trevor – who will be building new homes nearby – and the school.

Now surveys on the traffic, environmental and archaeological impact of the plan need to be done – but parish councillor Andrew Cast said no problems were expected and he hoped the scheme would soon be rubber stamped.

About 10 acres of land behind St Martins School has been donated and earmarked for the development which will include:

n An all-weather football pitch with floodlights and a spectator stand, of a standard to enable St Martins FC to play in higher grades of football;

n A new grass football pitch;

n A cricket pitch

n Hard-standing tennis courts and a hockey pitch;

n A pavilion large enough to hold community meetings – and to enable refreshments to be served during football matches;

n Extra car parking;

n An archery area.

The facilities would be run jointly by the parish council and St Martins School. Access would be through the school gates, although the facilities would be available for everyone in the village, not just pupils.

The £1m bill would be met by Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds, sports grants and some match funding.

Mr Cast told St Martins Parish Council: "The biggest problem has been sorting out access and extra parking, as we envisage a lot of people coming in and out.

"St Martins School is getting bigger, which means extra staff and pupils, and it will contribute towards extra parking."

A planning application will now be lodged with Shropshire Council to formally request a change of use of the land from agricultural to recreational and educational use.

Cllr John Stevens said: "Once we have that, we can sit down and properly plan what facilities we will include, and exactly where they will go.

"We have asked the people of St Martins their views and nothing is set in stone yet."