WORK will finally begin next month on a new £430,000 roundabout - following a four-year wrangle.

Construction of the roundabout on Yarm's Leven Bank, which will provide access to a new US-style village for the over 55s, begins on April 18, although it remains unclear what diversions will be in place.

There have been legal wrangles over the roundabout, safety concerns and other outstanding matters since Maher Developments first secured outline planning permission for the 332-home Mount Leven Village in 2013.

Road users will have to expect disruption during the 15-week works on the A1044, which are expected to be complete by the summer school holidays.

Jake Majid, of Maher Developments and son of former nightclub operator Javed Majid, said work on the village, which will also house a 68-bed care home, would begin as soon as the roundabout is complete, and said Stockton Council was taking care of traffic diversions.

He said: "Work on site will be tied in with the roundabout completion. We would like all building work to be finished as quickly as possible.

"We have had a lot of inquiries about the bungalows that started two years ago when we put the boards up. We are happy that we can actually start on the development now.

"My dad has always been passionate about building in Stockton so it would be something I am hoping the local population and my dad can be proud of.

It is not a retirement village, it is for the over 55s, a self-sustaining village that people of the older generation can live and be comfortable and safe. It will be a secured community."

The roundabout will have three exits, not four as was proposed at one point to provide access to a country club on the other side of the A1044 which is being planned by local businessman Tom Howson, who has objected fiercely to the roundabout in the past.

Mr Majid added: "We wish Mr Howson all the best with his development."

He said Maher Developments were hoping to have a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the end of work on the roundabout and the final start of construction on Mount Leven Village.

However, it is unclear at present whether the road will have to be closed for the duration of the works, and whether there will be diversions or traffic lights.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: “A new roundabout is needed to provide suitable access to this multi-million pound development from Leven Bank Road.

“Construction of the roundabout will get under way in April and we will be communicating full details of the work programme in advance of work starting.

“As with all roadworks, there will be some disruption, though we will do our best to keep this to a minimum. However, we would also appeal for people’s patience and understanding while these necessary works are completed.”

The 200-acre Mount Leven Village will also incorporate a leisure centre, village hall, village pub, restaurant and community store, with a country park around the site.