DEVELOPMENT plans to build on Reedley's former Lucas Playing Fields are set to be given the go-ahead later this week.

The plans will see half the land developed for housing and half retained for sporting activities.

TRW Automotive, the new owners of the site, have decided to dispose of the former sports complex.

As well as becoming overgrown, it has also become a meeting place for troublesome teenagers who have been gathering on the site in the evenings.

A spokesman for Pennine Police said: "We have had reports of anti-social behaviour on the ground.

"It has been drinking and rowdy behaviour, the usual thing associated with some groups of teenagers."

Council officers hope that the new development will eradicate the problem.

Coun Frank Clifford called the area "unique and sensitive" and said he was seeking assurances that the housing would be of a similar standard to that which already existed in the area.

"What we want to see is quality housing in accordance with the setting of the properties there now. For example generous gardens, beautiful properties which will complement the area and help us to attract people of the executive type to the area", he added.

The site is at the rear of Reedley Magistrates Court, in Colne Road, and in 1951 Burnley Rural District Council granted permission for it to be a private sports field for Lucas Industries.

If the plans are adopted at tomorrow's meeting of the counci, developers will be invited to tender for the contract of transforming the site.

In 1991, a planning application to develop a large part of the site was refused, but in 1996 the Local Plan Inspector said that redevelopment of some of the land was to be expected.

A council spokesman said: "Once adopted, the revised brief will be used as an aid to prospective developers for the site, in an attempt to generate a positive and acceptable redevelopment proposal and bring unused community facilities back into use."