PLANS for a Test Valley sports ground to get a £120,000 major revamp are underway.

Hatches Farm Sports Ground in West Wellow is in the process of renovation to its building, sport pitches, roof and car park.

Cladding of the building, which is home to Wellow Youth Football Club and Wellow Tennis Club, has been replaced and fixed with work on the roof to begin this week, weather permitting.

Wellow Parish Council are also in the process of planning permission for the instillation of flood lights to two tennis courts.

Hatches Farm Sports Ground is also planning to have a petanque pitch installed, for residents who want to play the French ball game.

The major refurb will be the overhaul of the car park, Wellow Parish Council are dubbing the scheme the 'Car Park Improvements Project'.

This will compromise of resurfacing the current car park, drainage improvements and cutting down banks to create more spaces.

The car park project is expected to cost £70,000.

Chair of the Parish Council, Councillor Gaye Chesterton-Kay, said: "It will be a complete renovation of the car park.

"The football club membership has increased hugely and the tennis club has around 70 members.

"We just need more space."

She added: "Romsey Road can also be a nightmare during drop off and pick up time as we have Wellow Primary School opposite.

"Parents park on limited spaces in Romsey Road, so now, parents will be able to park at the sports ground during drop off an pick up."

The sports ground has also had overhead barriers installed rather than a wooden gate so the public can use it more freely.

Work on the car park is expected to start in the Spring as the parish council are in the process of talk to contractors and choosing the right quote.

The sports ground received around £23,500 from Test Valley Borough Council for the project.

Cllr Chesterton-Kay said: "I am very happy, I think sports in the village is really important and I am pleased the car parking will also help with the school."