Farsley Celtic hopes to secure its future with the £1.36 million it would receive from the developer.

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The club wants permission for Bellway Homes to build on a former cricket pitch so it can use the proceeds to redevelop the clubhouse, main stand, sports hall, outer pitches and car park area.

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Last month Leeds West Plans Panel said it did not like the scheme and was prepared to refuse it.

It said the proposal to build 26 homes and 31 apartments on a green field at the Throstle Nest ground was contrary to council policy.

Furthermore, the panel said the design of the homes was poor and car parking should not be allowed to intrude on green spaces.

At its latest meeting the panel confirmed the refusal, despite receiving a 428-signature petition supporting the plan.

But planning officer Martin Sellens said he was quite prepared to have further talks with the club to try to find an acceptable scheme.

And panel chairman Colin Campbell invited the club to make a presentation to the committee of any new proposals.

City council leader, Councillor Andrew Carter, who has taken a keen interest in the scheme, said later: "I think now there is some hope."

Mr Sellens said the club was important to the Farsley area, but he would like to see a less intensive development.

Coun Campbell said: "We have always said that we appreciate the work that Farsley do and wish to keep this facility foir young people.
"The panel members are clear that they cannot accept this current proposal, but they are not averse to looking at other options."

Coun Stuart Andrew (Con, Guiseley and Rawdon) said: "This is about much more than sports provision.

"The club provides for 300 children and I think we should send a strong message that we want to help it to come up with a solution that would benefit the wider community."

But Couns David Morton (Lib Dem, Headingley) and Mick Coulson (Lab, Pudsey) said they doubted a solution could be found.

The club says it wants to develop what is simply unused land and has the support of Sport England.

Farsley Celtic clinched their third promotion in four seasons last May and now play in the Blue Square Premier League, the top tier of English non-league football.