Church Aston’s long-awaited all-weather sports pitch took a step forward as planning applications were finally submitted to Telford & Wrekin.
Leisure bosses plan to build a multi-purpose sports enclosure on grassland off Wallshead Way in the village.
If the application receives the green light from Telford & Wrekin council, work could be completed on-site by April.
The area has long been used by youngsters for ball games but has become too muddy.
The new structure would include an all-weather surface with a football goal and basketball hoop at one end.
The new site would be surrounded by three-metre high fencing to stop balls flying into near-by gardens.
Council leisure officer Derek Owen, leading the bid, said there was not much for children to do in Church Aston and even less by way of outdoor facilities.
He said: “The new facility will provide far more than just much-needed play and recreational facilities for the area.
“Providing purpose-built facilities will allow young children and local people to engage in healthy activities and promote play, sport and recreation as a lifelong activity.
“It will be free to use and will provide an activity for bored young people as an alternative to low level crime.
“The creation of the goal end will provide long-term benefits for this area by re-engaging children and young people in the ownership of their environment.
“We believe this currently under-used facility can be transformed to maximise its usage and value to the local community.”
Church Aston parish council voted unanimously in favour of the latest designs at their latest meeting last month.
Dreams of the modern facilities were first mooted at the end of last year but the project was deemed too expensive.
Those fears evaporated, however, when they were awarded a five-figure grant from Lottery-funded Play England.
A decision on the planning application is expected in the next couple of months.
By Sam Pinnington