A DERELICT sports ground in Nelson is to get a new lease of life after plans to turn it into housing were defeated.

The future of James Nelson sports ground in Wickworth Street has been in doubt for some years but now councillors have vowed to reclaim it for the community.

MLE Construction Ltd wanted to turn the site into a housing estate and resubmitted plans withdrawn in October 2003.

But Nelson Committee - backed by highways officer-claims that Bracewell Street was not suitable for traffic from the site and Pendle Council's current bar on housing development - threw out the plans.

Councillors said it was 'essential' the land was kept for recreation.

Bradley Coun Mohammed Iqbal said: "We need to take this one step further. It's been derelict for a number of years now and it would be unfair on the people who live around there to leave it in that state.

"I would like to see a report to this area committee with funding mechanisms for this council to purchase the site and do something with it."

Clover Hill Coun Colin Waite added: "We've had three applications for some sort of residential use of that land.

"This is an opportunity. We can see that land deteriorating. We need to find out who the owner is and exactly what they are going to do with the land."

A report on the future of James Nelson sports ground is expected in the next few months.