LANDSCAPING work to transform an area of wasteland into parkland has begun.

The site, off Quarry Road in Old Town is designated an area of scientific interest.

And initial fears that a colony of badgers could be disturbed by the work have been allayed, after an independent wildlife expert confirmed the nearest badger sett was 300 metres away and would not be affected.

Plans for the project were drawn up last year, but the work was delayed to allow consultation with English Nature, the Environment Agency, the Wiltshire Badger Group and the council's health and planning departments.

Council architect Nic Newland explained: "When it was discovered the embankment leading to Lethbridge School playground was crumbling, we looked at various ways we could make the area safe.

"It was decided that rather than shoring the whole thing up, it would be better to use soil from other building projects around the borough to raise the level of the land. We anticipate the cost of the scheme will break even, with the £1.5 million cost being offset by the money the council would have to pay to put the soil into a landfill site."

It is hoped the park will be open to the public by next April.