PLANS by the owner of Bacup Borough Football Club to buy the club's West View ground from Rossendale Council look set for an early result.

Councillors were due to be told today that an agreement drawn up by solicitors acting for Borough boss Brent Peters does not match the council's own views about the land on Cowtoot Lane but borough solicitor John Tradewell believes a compromise agreement can be reached.

Owner-manager Mr Peters wants to buy the land for £12,500 plus legal costs. The sticking point is restrictions on its and what happens to it if the club is forced to move to other premises.

The proposed sale is due to be discussed by the council's policy committee today when the deal is expected to be agreed in principle, with the details hammered out by solicitors acting for both sides.

Bacup Borough currently play in the North Western Trains League Second Division. A report to the committee says Mr Peters is determined to take Borough upwards, and believes promotion to the Unibond League and even the Vauxhall Conference is achievable.

But success on the field could pose problems for the club if it is prevented from developing the ground to the standards demanded by the leagues because of lack of space and failure to get planning permission for improvements.

Solicitors acting for the club have suggested amendments to the conditions which would allow the ground to be sold if the club outgrows it.

Talks have already been held between Mr Peters and Mr Tradewell.

Councillors are expected to agree to talks continuing until an agreement is reached.

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