A COUNCILLOR has called for a former rubbish tip in Haltwhistle to be transformed into a much-needed football pitch for the town.

The old ash tip, located near to Hadrian Enterprise Park, has not been used for several years.

But Coun. John Clark believes the site is big enough for a full-size football pitch.

Despite boasting a successful Sunday team, and several junior sides, football provision is scarce in Haltwhistle.

At present, limited space is used by children and teenage footballers at the Tyne Field; while the Old School Playing Field is the subject of an ongoing dispute over its village green status.

Speaking at the last meeting of Haltwhistle Town Council, Coun. Clark said: “I’m sure the former ash tip would be big enough for a full-size pitch.

“I don’t know if the land has been decontaminated, and if not, I don’t know if it can be decontaminated.

“But I don’t see why we can’t look into this, and see if we can create a football pitch and build a pavilion.”

Meanwhile, town councillors remain hopeful of acquiring land at other sites for sport and leisure purposes.

They wish to secure ownership of a larger stretch of land at the Tyne Field, which is currently owned by Northumberland County Council.

But the land is earmarked for development, and the authority has repeatedly stated over the past year that it will not agree to an asset transfer.

Haltwhistle Town Council is also keen to acquire local authority land next door to the Westlands play area, in a bid to extend the facility.

Chairing the meeting, Coun. Alan Sharp said he had received correspondence which indicated that the land would not be made available.

He added: “We have to keep pushing for this land. Westlands is a popular play area and we want to expand it and enhance the facilities there for the children of the town.”