A BITTER dispute over a site once used as a community play area is rumbling on, with residents complaining the area has been left to turn into a "dump."

The grassed area, off Grosvenor Road, Manningham, Bradford, had play equipment on it until it was removed in 2010, with residents claiming it had traditionally been used as a park for decades.

Yorkshire Housing, which owns the strip of land, has previously tried to sell it for housing, and has now blamed the community for ruining the area by fly-tipping rubbish there.

Last summer, residents organised a petition against the building of five terraced houses on the land, stating they had been told it would be redeveloped as a play area.

Despite being recommended for approval by Council officers, the plans were thrown out by the Bradford Area Planning Panel in July, whose members said the land had been stipulated to be a play space for children.

Ansar Miah, who lives on the street, spoke out against the plans last year, and said residents still want the land to be brought back into use as a park.

"People want the park to be re-built, but nothing is being done," he said.

"The park had always been there, but when the equipment was removed, nothing was put back.

"People are just dumping rubbish on the land, and nothing has been done since the houses were refused last year.

"It is turning into a wasteland, but people don't want to see more houses, they want the park restored.

"There are other areas nearby for children to play, but this land has always been a park."

Councillor Shabir Hussain (Lab, Manningham) said it was "shameful" that the land had been left to rot.

"The housing association is getting revenue from tenants in that area, and the land should be maintained by them," he said.

"It was allocated for recreational use, and it should stay as that.

"The ideal way forward would be a new recreation project.

"The people in that area deserve that, and no-one wants the current eyesore on their doorstep."

A spokesman for Yorkshire Housing confirmed that the company, based in Leeds, retained ownership of the land, which until recently had been leased to Manningham Housing Association.

Of the state of the area, the spokesman said: "It had previously been a play area, but this was destroyed.

"We re-acquired the land a couple of years ago and made efforts to sell it for housing, but planning permission was refused.

"We are aware of the situation and have been clearing the site, but unfortunately, each time we do so, the fly-tipping continues.

"We believe some local residents are responsible for this.

"We are discussing the matter with other organisations to remind people that fly-tipping is illegal to prevent this happening again.

"We are considering future uses, and will consult residents once the options are known."