A NEW sports centre for Overton has had the green light from borough planners.

Officers at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council have approved Overton Recreation Centre’s plans for a new pavilion, three football pitches, a cricket square, 52 parking spaces, four changing rooms and an access road from the B3400.

The project, in London Road, has a £400,000 price tag and construction must begin within three years, after the current pavilion has been knocked down.

It is hoped the new facility will regenerate sport in the village.

Colin Parker, manager at the centre, said: “This is going to be a real boost for the village and will have a long-term effect on sport.

“Hopefully it will not only provide improved facilities for teams using the centre now, but will also encourage more people to come forward and take part.

“We’re eager to get started as soon as possible and are looking at different avenues for funding.”

The scheme has been in the pipeline for about ten years. The centre had been working in conjunction with Overton Rugby Club but abandoned that joint project in 2007 due to spiralling costs.

The centre has between 600 and 700 users on its books. About £50,000 has been raised and the char-ity will apply to Sport England and other organisations for funding.

Councillor Paula Baker, ward member for Overton, Laverstoke and Steventon, said: “This is excellent news.

“Overton has a very keen sporting community and that is partly because of the excellent work done at Overton Recreation Centre.”

She added: “We’re very lucky in Overton and I think we owe the people who have put together these plans.”

The centre is used by the three teams from Overton United FC, nine teams of Overton United Youth FC and seven teams of Overton Cricket Club.