PLANS have been submitted to turn an overspill parking area into a permanent car park for users of Wiveliscombe’s War Memorial Recreation Ground and surrounding sports facilities.

The recreation ground management committee wants to lay a stone chip surface on a 5812 sq ft (540 sq m) grassed area between the rugby clubhouse and tennis courts and the sports field.

Currently, the area becomes wet and rutted in the winter and can only be used by four wheel drive vehicles.

The result at peak times has seen chaos on the nearby main road due to the number of vehicles which have to park there.

Now, the committee is proposing to hard surface about two-thirds of the area for it to be used all year round, and to put in a bund and hedgerow which would screen the parked vehicles while still allowing views from the clubhouse to the playing pitch.

Committee member Mike Davis, who is also a volunteer helping to run the neighbouring Wivey Pool outdoor swimming pool, said in a planning statement, levels of physical activity in the UK had been in decline for some time and the reduction in ‘movement of the body’ was clearly linked to many physical and mental health issues.

Mr Davis said: “As Wiveliscombe has grown with new estates, use of the recreation ground has risen considerably.

“The rugby club have grown the numbers of teams, a football group now uses the park through the week, as well as a cricket club in summer.

“The children's play area and skatepark are well used throughout the year.

“Wivey Pool is to open all year round once the new pool house is completed, so there is a need for more parking, especially in the winter when rugby is in full flow.”

He said Wiveliscombe’s tennis club was also well supported, as was the open air community pool, and there was an emerging football club and ladies rounders club.

Mr Davis said: “We should all be delighted that these local clubs, the children’s play facilities, and skatepark are being so well used.”

A permanent car park would allow cars and team coaches to park and manoeuvre safely, reducing the impact of parking on the road into Wiveliscombe.

It would also provide for safer access for mobility impaired rugby supporters while removing dangerous on-road parking and visibility impacts for motorists.

Mr Davis said Somerset Council’s continuing approval for housing developments in Wiveliscombe had resulted in greater use of sports facilities, not just by local residents but also by people living outside the town.

HE said: “The sports clubs are growing and Wivey Pool has seen attendance grow dramatically in the last two years, which will only continue once the Pool House is finished and it opens all year round.

“This proposal supports the housing developments and growth of the town.

“It reflects need.”

The council has set itself a target date of March 24 to determine the planning application and is asking for any comments on the proposal to be submitted by February 20.