WORK started this week on laying the new cricket square and out-field at The Leaze in Wimborne, for Wimborne Cricket Club.

The cricketers formerly played at Hanhams on leased ground, and their former base off Park Lane is the subject of a separate application by supermarket giant Waitrose.

East Dorset District Council granted permission last July for the creation of a cricket pitch and pavilion, practice facilities, car parking and new access for The Leaze, at the rear of Model Town.

A Waitrose spokesman said the work on the new pitch did not pre-empt any decision by East Dorset District Council regarding the proposed new Waitrose food shop.

"The cricket club is keen to move to its new state-of-the-art facilities in time for next season.

"To ensure they can do this, work must begin at this time, while we await the decision on whether consent will be given for our proposals for their old site.

"We remain encouraged by the response we received at our public exhibition where 77 per cent of those who filled out comment sheets, along with 80 per cent of Wimborne traders, stated their support for a Waitrose shop.

"If consent is given, it would provide residents with a centrally located quality food shop and access to an additional leisure area by the river open for public use, in what was previously restricted for cricket use only."

Opinion on the proposed new site is sharply divided in the town.

Members of Wimborne Chamber of Trade have thrown their weight behind the plan but Keep Wimborne Town Green members are against it.

Mike Hirsh, head of planning and building control at East Dorset District Council, said: "The application stands deferred awaiting the formal submission of revised details concerning a number of matters including drainage and highways related design."