THE 30-year dream of a community sports and leisure centre for southern Ryedale has taken a big step forward – and could become a reality by next May.

A detailed formal planning application for the centre to be built in the grounds of Malton School has been submitted to Ryedale District Council, said headteacher Rob Williams.

The successful tenderers for the venture, William Birch Ltd of Osbaldwick, and their team of architects, the William Saunders Partnership, have finalised the details of the scheme in talks with the school, which is leading the project, with financial backing from Ryedale District Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Mr Williams said: “We have worked hard to address the comments made at the outline planning stage by the county council highways department and by the small number of residents whose properties back directly on to the school site.

“By moving the proposed development as far to the west of the school site as possible, we hope to minimise any impact on our neighbours.

“At the same time, the provision of a coach-turning circle and drop-off point will reduce coach journeys up and down Middlecave Road, and the provision of some staff parking during the school day will further reduce traffic problems for local residents. We think we have a final proposal that would provide not only an excellent sporting facility but an aspirational landmark on one of the main approaches to Malton.”

If the proposal gets planning permission – it has already got outline approval – it is hoped that the necessary highways work could be carried out during the summer recess and that the facility would open to the public by May 2010.”

Mr Williams said: “In the current economic climate, this development, carried out by a local construction company, will provide a much-needed boost for Ryedale.”