A NEW play area will be built on disused land in Nelson thanks to the campaigning of Labour ward councillors.

Coun Nadeem Younis, who represents Bradley ward, has managed to secure £75,000 worth of funding to build a playground for young children in Cliffe Street.

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Around 15 houses in Cliffe Street were demolished under the last Labour government’s Housing Market Renewal Initiative, a scheme that hoped to renew failing housing markets in the north of England.

Under the then government’s plans, the land would be used for new housing. But the current coalition government pulled funding for the scheme and the land has remained derelict ever since.

Coun Younis and fellow Bradley ward councillor Mohammed Iqbal secured the money from Public Realm Cluster Funding, a residual fund left over from the original housing renewal scheme.

Planning permission for the play area, which will include a seating area, small garden and a boundary fence, has now been approved by Pendle Council.

Coun Younis and others are due to meet with Bradley Primary School’s council to ask the children what sort of equipment they would like in their brand new play area.

Coun Younis said: “It’s a great thing for the area and for the many young children who live here.

“The play area will be customised for the local children and it is specifically for young children. Bradley has more young children than most other wards in the borough and so this is much needed here and a good use of the unused land.”

Labour ward councillors have already met with residents around Cliffe Street and say that they supported the plan for a playground ‘100 per cent’.

They will meet the school council on Tuesday.