PLANS for new sporting facilities that would make up part of a new “urban village” have been scrapped by Bradford Council.

“Poor ground conditions” means the Council will no longer be pursuing the plan for the King George V playing fields in Bolton Woods - which would have included a new changing pavilion, 3G all-weather football pitch and cricket pitch as well as new street lighting and car parking.

The scheme would have been run by One In A Million Free School.

Instead the Council may restore an area of the site known as an overgrown area called Gaisby Stray so it can be used for recreation.

The sports facilities were due to form part of the ambitious New Bolton Woods development, a £150 million scheme that will include over 1,100 homes and shops.

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Opinion on the plans had been divided in the area, with some claiming the facilities would improve the offer for local sports clubs and others raising concerns over the loss of a space that was open to local people.

A planning application had been submitted for the plans, but a letter was recently sent to local residents informing them that the sports scheme would not be going ahead.

The letter, from the three Windhill and Wrose Councillors, said: “Following extensive site investigation works it has become apparent that the ground conditions will not support the construction of the proposed development.

“The Council and its partners have agreed to stop any further investigation works on the site and are seeking alternative sites in the district. This has been a very difficult issue for the Bolton Woods community with some people being very supportive of the facility and some very much against it.

“Regardless of which side you are on, as ward Councillors we want to make sure that the green space we have is used to the best advantage which is why we have asked Council officers to look at restoring Gaisby Stray so that it can be used again for recreation.”

David Taylor, of neighbouring Oswin Gardens, was one of the dozens of people who had objected to the application. On hearing that the plans had been withdrawn he said: “This is fantastic news for residents and the local community, the vast majority of whom opposed the development and privatisation of this much loved, free to use green space.”

However, Tony Miller, General Manager of Bolton Woods JFC, expressed disappointment to the news. He said: "When you look at the regeneration of the area, there will be hundreds of new houses, there will be a need for extra facilities. The 3G pitch could have been used by people in winter months as well as summer. At the moment the site can't be used some months of the year due to weather.

"We're disappointed that this 3G pitch won't come to fruition."

He hopes that the money that was to be used on the facilities can now be used to improve the existing site.