A COUNCILLOR says a football club should go ahead with an expansion plan - if a firm fails to make a move soon with its proposals to use the same patch of land in Mirfield.
Battyeford Sporting Club, which has 350 young players, hopes to win lottery money after obtaining planning permission for a new clubhouse and changing rooms on the West Mills ground, off Huddersfield Road.
But the club faces an uncertain future after nearby bedding manufacturer John Cotton said it was interested in using the land for expansion.
Worried sports officials made a plea at Kirklees Council's full meeting yesterday to be told of the latest developments.
Council deputy leader Clr John Smithson said not much had happened since a public meeting in November.
He told a delegation: "If John Cotton has still not submitted a planning application by the time lottery money is won, then I would say the club should proceed with its scheme.
"John Cotton would have lost the argument and I would say the best answer for them would be to relocate somewhere in the vicinity," he added.
Clr Smithson was speaking after Mirfield Sports Council officials asked to know what was happening.
Sports council secretary Martin Hatfield said: "How long can Kirklees Council keep Battyeford Sports Club in limbo?"
Clr Smithson said a barrister examining a deed of covenant was expected to give his verdict by the end of the month.
He was brought in after the football club said the land was given to the people of Mirfield for sporting use forever in 1970 by the religious order of the Community of the Resurrection.
