CHERRIES have resumed work on the first phase of development of the club's new training complex at Canford Magna, the club have announced.

Plans for the new multi-million pound facility were approved unanimously by BCP Council in October 2019.

Cherries bought the site at the old Canford Magna Golf Club for £3.75 million, with its first application for the new training ground approved in January 2018.

Existing building structures on the site have been demolished, while land has been levelled off.

However, plans for development were paused when COVID-19 hit in March 2020, with relegation from the Premier League following four months later.

But now, following a return to the top flight, the club have resumed work on the site.

Work has begun on installing both an outside artificial pitch and a domed indoor pitch at the facility, alongside temporary offices for the club’s academy setup.

Academy facilities are understood to be the first priority.

Chief executive Neill Blake said: “We are delighted to make this step which will help our thriving academy system.

“Our initial plans for the training ground were heavily hit by the COVID pandemic, but we are pleased to get this work started with the longer-term plan of the first team joining the initial academy development when the time is right.

“It’s a really positive step for everyone at the football club and we are really pleased to begin development of this first phase of work for our academy.”