A further wait for when sections of a controversial sports village site will be fully opened has been confirmed.

The confirmation comes after North Yorkshire Council admitted that the land transfer to its ownership has not taken place.

For the last two years, complications over the building and ownership of the Northallerton Sports Village have been raised, which questioned the opening date, facilities, and parts of the site growing into disrepair. 

North Yorkshire Council has revealed that the land transfer into its ownership hasn't taken place, and has apologised for the "frustration caused" to members of the public who want to use the facilities.

Northallerton Sports VillageNorthallerton Sports Village (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The authority also made clear that they are "working hard" to resolve the ongoing issues and delays surrounding the sports village in Northallerton.

While the first part of the sports village was completed in August 2023, the allotment site and a patch of communal grass at the site have been fenced off, which has prevented members of the public from using them. 

The allotment site in particular has seen a metal fence put up, preventing the public from entering the site, while images of the sports village show grass growing four feet high in some parts. 

Overgrown grass and weeds at Northallerton Sports VillageOvergrown grass and weeds at Northallerton Sports Village (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Previous concerns over the safety, future and usability of the sports village have come into question - which included 18 allotment sheds blowing over in the wind, and sustaining damage.

Criticisms of the venue include that it's a "wasteful use of taxpayers' money" have been made, while others have called the ongoing delays "a shambles".

In the most recent images of the sports village, overgrown grass can be seen on the allotment, while locks can be seen chained to the gates of the allotment, preventing access to the public. 

A lock on the gate at Northallerton Sports VillageA lock on the gate at Northallerton Sports Village (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The sheds that were previously put up at the allotment can be seen in a slight state of disrepair.

North Yorkshire Council has previously said that the first phase has been completed and handed over to the local authority from the contractors. 

However, it has now been said that there is no clear timeframe for when other sections of the sports village will be complete - with the council apologising to residents for the delays. 

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North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director for culture, leisure and libraries, Jo Ireland, said: “The formal land transfer for the site is still not completed.

"This means that whilst we can open the site for community use any organised activity that requires a licence or a lease is currently not permitted - we can only allow this once the land is owned by the council and that includes the allotments.

“We understand the inconvenience and share the frustration of residents. We would like to reassure everyone that we are working hard to resolve the outstanding issues.”