NEW plans to create allotments and a football pitch in Burley-in-Wharfedale are being put to the public.

Burley Parish Council is asking for views on the scheme to create 21 allotments and a nine-a-side football pitch on land to the west of Iron Row.

A proposed larger scheme for 40 allotments and a multi-use games area sparked a wave of objections from local residents last year - but now a smaller scheme is being put forward.

In its newsletter Burley Parish Council says:”The proposal is to create 21 allotments and a 9-a-side football pitch on land to the west of Iron Row. This follows a previous planning application for 40 allotments and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) which resulted in a number of objections.

“Last November the Parish Council requested authority from Bradford Council to commence work in line with the conditions of the lease granted by Bradford. Following objections to the now withdrawn proposal to create the MUGA, Bradford Council wishes to ensure that the proposed allotments are what the village really wants.

“It is recognised that the 70 people on the allotment waiting list would support the concept of additional allotments, but how do you feel? Would you support the proposal to create 21 allotments and a 9-a-side football pitch on the land to the west of Iron Row?

“Please let the Parish Clerk know if you support the provision of 21 allotments on the recreation ground which is currently designated as playing fields.

“If approved, the funding for this will come from contributions from the Greenholme Mills developers that have been promised towards the costs of providing community and social infrastructure.”

Local resident Brian Stockdale is one of those opposing the scheme.

He argued that the reason the field was not used as intended was due to poor preparation of the land at the time the bypass was built.

He said: “I personally would object to any recreation land being lost to any purpose.

“The initial proposal made by Burley Parish Council had various objections and significantly this included Bradford Met, Sport England and the F.A.”

He said he sympathised with people who were waiting for allotments but felt that objectors did not want to see the loss of recreation land. He also argued that there would be difficulties with having football pitches and allotments in the same area.

He added: “Additional houses at Greenholme Mills will mean that more not less recreation land is required.”

In its application last year Burley Parish Council said the West Recreation Field had not been used for sport for at least six years.