THE sale of the Lyndon House Playing Fields in Great Harwood could lead to a 200 plus property housing estate and a new home for the town’s largest remaining soccer club.

These are the hopes of Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson as he recommends the council’s cabinet approve a cash and land swap deal when it meets on July 30.

Under the proposal Reilly Developments Ltd would buy the 7.6 acres of the playing fields to add to the 10 acres of adjacent land they already own to build between 200 and 250 houses.

They would pay the council a ‘substantial sum’ in addition to giving them land at Heymoor Farm off Whalley Road on the outskirts the town.

This would enable the borough to transfer Great Harwood Rovers Football Club’s lease from Lyndon House to the new site and allow the club to build new facilities on the site.

The Great Harwood Agricultural Show would then swap a meadow adjoining the Balfour Street playing fields for land owned by Reilly’s at Heymoor farm.

Several years ago they moved their annual event there to expand its size and scope.

The new site owned by Reilly’s would include the site of the former Monroe’s nightclub and the defunct Great Harwood Town Football Club.

In November 2008 plans for 49 homes there were refused by Hyndburn council planners.

Coun Parkinson said: “This is a good deal for all involved.

“The proposal will meet the aspirations of Great Harwood Rovers, who have a 25 year lease on the fields, to move to a new site and expand.

“It will assist the Great Harwood Agricultural Show Committee to own and control its own site allowing it to grow.

“The deal will enable Reilly’s to put together a parcel of land to build 200 to 250 much needed homes, including affordable properties, in the urban area of the town.

“In addition it will protect the green belt status of the land at Heymoor Farm.

“So it’s a good deal for everyone involved.”

Great Harwood Rover FC secretary Tony Jones: “We are pleased that this deal will allow us to bring a major improvement in facilities not just for the club but the town of Great Harwood.

“This will bring real benefit to a range of other organisations, not just sports clubs.”