A SOUTHAMPTON recreation ground is set to be transformed into a top sporting venue with a private cash boost of £1.8 m.

Southampton City Council has revealed that private company Uforia plc plans to develop the current land to create a sporting mecca for sports enthusiasts in the city.

The plans include:

* 11 artificial turf pitches

* A new pavilion including a play zone and community room

* An outdoor basketball court

* £20,000 contribution for a play area upgrade

* £40,000 contribution for improvements to vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access

* Sports Development Officer to promote usage to the local community

* CCTV for the pedestrian underpass

* Rental to the council of £15,000 a year

A formal lease of 25 years and a management agreement are now going to be signed to progress the deal.

Under the terms of the agreement, the City Council will lease the land to the private company and in return it will receive a minimum rental of £15,000 plus 7.5 per cent of any revenue over £750,000.

Uforia is footing the bill for all of the capital investment and the firm will also be responsible for maintenance of the sports pitches, the pavilion and CCTV.

Executive member for leisure Councillor Derek Burke explained the partnership between the city council and Uforia was the first of its kind.

"This is an interesting trial for us and it is a good experiment - it might be something we could do in other areas of the city.

"We have been working on this for about a year or so.

"We have tried to make the development work for everyone - even down to having a dog walking trail," he said.

Millbrook ward councillor, George Melrose, admitted his group had been sceptical in the early stages - but they were all in favour of the development now.

"When it was first mooted we thought it was a dangerous precedent to lease public open space to a private developer.

"We now think this will be a very important development for the city."