THE first phase of construction work has started to create the new Waitrose supermarket on what was Wimborne’s cricket ground.

The site has been cleared and topsoil is being removed in preparation for laying the foundations.

Waitrose anticipates this work will be completed by Christmas with the steel frame being assembled shortly after.

Highway improvement works are due to start in February 2010 and Waitrose aim to have the store open by Christmas 2010.

A community newsletter has gone out to neighbours to the site and the website waitrose-wimborne.co.uk will be operational from Monday, November 2 to provide additional information.

The development will create up to 200 jobs, two acres of public riverside park, additional car parking and improved pedestrian links to the town centre.

Wimborne Cricket Club has relocated to new facilities at The Leaze.

More East Dorset News