KEY players are being lined up to answer questions about the future of playing fields.

They will be at a public meeting called after a company said it was interested in expanding on to the site off Huddersfield Road, Mirfield.

Protests have been made by Battyeford Sporting Club, which had been about to make a £450,000 bid to the Football Foundation for a new clubhouse and educational facilities at West Mills playing fields.

Bosses from bedding firm John Cotton - which wants to build a lorry park and warehouse - have promised to be at the public meeting.

It will take place on Friday at Christ the King Church, Stocksbank Road, Mirfield, starting at 7pm. The meeting has been organised by Kirklees Council's Mirfield Area Committee.

Clr Martyn Bolt, the committee's chairman said: "This is the opportunity for people to find out the facts of the issue direct from those in charge.

"They will be able to find out any timescale for approving or refusing Cotton's request."

The main parties have been asked to provide briefing sheets for people attending to take away for later reference.

Clr Bolt said: "There will be much said on Friday and it is essential that people have something to refer to later."

The meeting is being staged after the firm wrote to council leader Clr Kath Pinnock asking for her help.

Keith Johnson, chairman of Battyeford Sporting Club, said the land was used by football teams, archers, ramblers, cyclists and golfers.

"We would urge all protesters to continue writing in protest about the development by John Cotton, but also to send a copy to us so we can gauge the strength of the protest."

The meeting will be attended by two members of the council's Cabinet - Clr John Smithson, who is responsible for leisure services, and Clr Andrew Pinnock, who deals with planning and regeneration.

Also on the platform will be representatives from the Community of the Resurrection, the religious order which donated the land for sporting use in 1970.

Dewsbury MP Ann Taylor has been invited to attend.

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