Future of playing fields secure

West Mills playing fields, which are used by Battyeford Sporting Club, will be given protected status under the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge jubilee scheme.

It puts an end to years of speculation that the fields might be lost to developers.

Battyeford Sporting Club president Keith Johnson said: “Kirklees Council, with us, applied for this status in order to stop the land being sold on without the express permission of the public, in the form of the council.

“It’s there for recreation and sport.”

He said a petition which opposed the development of the land generated 4,000 signatures in just three days.

“We have protected it for that reason,” Mr Johnson said.

“There’s not really a lot of recreational space around Mirfield because of the pressure from housing.”

Battyeford Sporting Club is now looking for people to sponsor benches that will be put around the site, which has been deemed worthy of protected ‘field in trust’ status.

Mirfield Town Council has already agreed to sponsor a bench with back support for £600, but benches without back supports can also be sponsored for £500. Call Mr Johnson on 07901698670.