RESIDENTS have raised worries over the impact of the major redevelopment of a sportsground.

The transformation of Ruskin Drive in Dentons Green includes upgraded floodlit artificial rugby and football pitches, all-weather tennis courts and improvements to bowls, cricket and rounders facilities. St Helens Council, which is leading the plan, says there will also be significant increase to the amount of on-site parking.

However, residents have shared concerns over the effect the works will have.

Coleridge Avenue resident Geoff Sheppard, 69, said: ""We are going to have problems with parking whenever there is an event. People won't park on the far side of the site and there is going to be parking on our streets. They think people are going to come along Ruskin Drive and park on the new car park and disperse across the grounds but they won't.

"We feel there's a lot of issues. The destruction of the trees as well. I have been here for more than 40 years and these have been here as long as I have.

"The planning mentions one beech tree but they've moved dozens and all the conifers along Swinburne Road. This time of year they would be going green and now they have all gone. The area is decimated.

"I'm frustrated that we have had no consideration whatsoever. We are about 60 yards away but it's like we don't exist."

The local authority confirmed the first phase of work "has seen the removal of the poor quality trees along the Swinburne Road boundary of the site" which its says "have now been replaced with better quality trees and shrubs planted by the council’s Grounds Maintenance team."

In response to the residents' concerns, a council spokesman added: “Great care has been taken to minimise any disruption while work takes place at Ruskin Drive. Contractors have been made aware of their responsibilities and residents have been consulted extensively – both before and during the project.

“In some cases plans have been amended to take account of their concerns – including the provision of sound mitigation measures around the car park.

"We have also massively increased the number of car parking spaces available.

“A small number of cherry trees that were dying back have been removed and replaced with new trees.”