TO the north of Burnley, bordering on Pendle is the ward of Queensgate.

The ward is one of the smallest in the borough and has a large proportion of terraced housing and a number of detached houses and flats.

Colne Road is the commercial hub of the ward, with shops and takeaways and a number of small businesses and supermarkets, while Barden Lane leads from the town centre out into scenic countryside, heading towards Fence.

Queensgate is best known for being home to Burnley General Hospital, which houses an urgent care centre and is also the base for the Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre.

Also in the ward are the Prairie Playing Fields which are in line for a £2.5m revamp after a planning application was submitted to Burnley Council.

The scheme, backed by lottery cash from Sport England, would see a pavilion built on the site of Colne Road and Windermere Avenue.

Improvements would also see upgrading of the all-weather pitch and a new golf driving range.

Councillor Arif Khan, who has represented the ward for six years, said: “Queensgate is one of the nicest areas in Burnley.

“It has a large number of shops along Colne Road, including takeaways, supermarkets and recently a new Home Bargains store.

“A planning application has been submitted for a new sports village at the Prairie Playing Fields which will be a huge benefit to the area.

“A number of properties in Queensgate were refurbished through the Elevate scheme. Since the scheme was scrapped, Burnley Council has done up 60 properties in the ward to sell.

“A scheme to loan up to £30,000 to landlords in the borough has been well received and seen more houses improve.”

A number of community groups are active in the area, including The Fraser Street project, Burnley Lane Residents’ Action Group, Burnley Boys’ and Girls’ Club and Queensgate Residents’ Association.

Other facilities include a doctor, dentist and pharmacy, St John the Baptist RC Church, St Cuthbert’s Church and Queensgate Islamic Centre.

Coun Khan added: “There is fantastic community spirit in Queensgate. We have a number of excellent community groups and people are willing to help each other.

“Despite being a multi-cultural ward, we have no problems with racism. Everyone gets on really well and very few people that cause problems.

“I see the future of the ward being very bright. We have investment coming into the area which will see Queensgate being put on the map.”