COUNCIL officers are reviewing a planning application that will transform a rundown sports ground into a state-of-the-art facility.

A bid has been made to Barclays Bank for a £600,000 sports grant to upgrade the Veracity Recreation Ground in Sholing.

The plan would involve a dramatic regeneration of the existing three football pitches. Two will remain and the third will become a multi-use games area, skate park, petanque terrain and four mini-soccer arenas.

The changing rooms will be rebuilt to hold four teams and the remaining areas will be landscaped.

Initially there were fears raised that Southampton City Council was trying to close down the facility to Sunday league teams.

But now the development is gathering momentum and winning public support.

Gerry Drake, ward councillor for Peartree, said: "The community is really getting behind these plans. We had a public meeting because people heard there would be a development on the Veracity ground.

"They were pleasantly surprised when they heard it was for additional sports facilities and not housing.

"We are at the last stage now and are just waiting for the documents to be signed and permission granted.

"Then we hope to set up a trust to ensure the community gets maximum benefit from the new grounds. It is something we have been trying to achieve for some time now."

Cllr Peter Wakeford, Southampton City Council's executive member for leisure, tourism and culture, said the new development would be a "welcome improvement to a barren space in the city."

The plans are on show at the council's planning and sustainability department on the ground floor of the Civic Centre.

All comments need to be submitted by next Monday.