POLITICAL rivals have banded together to stop playing fields in Nelson being turned into an industrial estate.

Liberal Democrats in the Bradley ward area have added their voices to those of the local Labour party in opposing proposals to earmark Swinden playing fields, off Reedyford Road, for industrial development.

Following meetings with worried residents Jamil Munir, the LibDem candidate for Bradley in the last local elections, said: "The use of these playing fields for any other purpose is completely unacceptable to the residents of Bradley ward.

"They have been used for many, many years as football and cricket pitches and that use should continue.

"I will be meeting my Liberal Democrat colleagues shortly when I will report fully the concerns of the Bradley residents.

"I am certain that my colleagues will agree with me and the Bradley people as they have a track record of consulting and listening to the wishes of residents' groups."

Nelson Labour Party has already voiced its opposition to the playing fields being developed.

Swinden is one of six sites across the borough put forward by council planners as possible areas for future industrial expansion to meet business demands and bring extra work to Pendle.

A special meeting of the council's policy committee on September 21 will decide which, if any of the sites, can be earmarked.

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