Refurbishment works at a village car park which was due to be finished at the beginning of the month have been delayed.

The huge renovation project at Melbourn car park in the High Street is still continuing and is now due for completion by the end of the month.

The delay is due to the previously unknown ground conditions of the site.

A spokeswoman for the parish council said: “The village of Melbourn has been inhabited for more than 1,000 years and this centrally located site historically housed a village pond, farm buildings, and more recently a public toilet block.

“Not until the ground was opened did it become obvious that extensive foundations would be necessary, and the surface water soak-away, the size of a swimming pool, would have to be moved from the intended position.

“Once completed, the extended car park will be an invaluable long term asset for the village.”

The car park is designed to deter anti-social behaviour, and includes CCTV, designated disabled parking, provision for electric car charging in the future, and a more secure pathway for primary school children, together with a permanent drop-off area.

The CCTV facility will be available for police monitoring 24 hours a day.

The spokeswoman added: “A new bus stop shelter will provide better weather protection for passengers and will be more in keeping with the rural environment.”

The car park was labelled an ‘anti-social behaviour hotspot’ by police.

It is a particularly bad spot for vehicle related anti-social behaviour and has been used as a gathering place for younger people to drink alcohol, leading to delinquent acts such as throwing litter over garden fences.

Chief Insp James Sutherland previously told the Crow anti-social behaviour at the car park is under-reported.

He said: “This has been an anti-social behaviour hotspot for many years and ultimately it is only design improvements combined with targeted police intervention that will put an end to these issues.”