A long-awaited new community centre for Cringleford has moved a step closer to reality.

Plans have now been submitted to South Norfolk Council showing details of the centre and it is hoped that it could be built by summer 2013.

The community centre, which is due to be built on land at Dragonfly Lane, is part of the second phase of developments at the Round House Park area of the village.

Cringleford Parish Council vice-chairman Tony Chater said: 'It is actually quite exciting that after a long time of gestation and waiting for the required number of houses, work could begin at the site at the start of the summer, and we should have a community centre to be proud of about 11 or 12 months after that.

'We are excited at the thought of having this new facility that will be a great benefit to the whole of the village.'

The plans show the community centre, a full-size football pitch, and the surrounding parkland. Detailed images of what the community centre will look like are also included.

A design and access statement by the agent Paul Robinson Partnership said the single-storey community centre will be accessed by a new link road, and that the proposed layout of the site has been designed to minimise the loss of existing trees and landscaping features.

The facilities within the centre will include a main hall with a stage area, an office for the parish clerk, a cafe bar function room, kitchen, toilets, and a number of store rooms.

There will also be two changing room areas each with showers and toilets.

The reserved matters application has been submitted on behalf of Bovis Homes and Twigden Homes, and the community centre would be built by Kier Eastern.

To see the full plans visit www.south-norfolk.gov.uk

People have until March 1 to register comments about the plans on the South Norfolk Council website.

Do you have a story from the Cringleford area? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk