THE infamous sloping Ruspidge football pitch is set to be levelled this spring, paving the way for the village team to make a return next season.

Planning permission has been granted for the pitch to be levelled.

The application was made by Ruspidge and Soudley Parish Council, via an agent, the Cheltenham-based Grimshaw Group, who will carry out the work.

Ruspidge & Soudley councillor Linda Searancke said the date work will start was dependent on some soil surveys being carried out and the weather.

She envisaged, however, that the footballers would be able to play on the pitch by September.

She said: "There should be no disruption to locals because we are not taking any of the soil away. Everything is self-contained.

"An awful lot of effort has gone into this project, but we feel it will be money well spent.

"The football club is definitely coming back, and they'll be able to push on. The slope will be so gentle, they'll hardly notice it."

The planning application detailed a bid to cut and fill the field, which is approximately 0.8 hectares in size.

The field falls 10m from the road to a dismantled railway.

Money for the project will come from section 106 funds available through recent housing developments, including St White's.

Ruspidge United, who originally formed in 1945, withdrew from the North Gloucestershire League last year, but officers of the club always vowed they would be back.

The Ruspidge ground used to be a sheep pasture field, but was given to the welfare committee (still responsible for its upkeep) by the Addis family.