A DEVELOPER and Bolton Council are being challenged to resurrect a forgotten promise of providing a football pitch for the community.

When Bellway Homes was granted permission to build housing at the bottom of Derwent Road, Highfield, Farnworth, the planning brief ordered it to create a full size pitch.

A plan for a pitch was prepared by Bellway three years ago but was turned down by Bolton Council as it failed to meet the required standard.

But two years since building work was completed, the youngsters are still without a place to play.

Now, Cllr Carl Dennis, ward member for Harper Green, is calling for that pledge to be fulfilled.

He said: "The onus is on the council and the developer to give us what was promised. We are not asking for something new."

"There are a lot of kids here desperately looking for places to play so what better than a purpose-built facility?

"I'm sure there are teams within the community who would benefit and it could even produce a star of the future pulling on a Bolton Wanderers shirt one day!"

The development, that formed part of the Single Regeneration Budget scheme, covered 9.4 acres on the Back o'th' Dicks, or Pigtail Lodge, site.

The matter has been raised with executive members at Bolton Council and Cllr Dennis has urged a steering group to work together with youngsters and potential coaches to lobby bosses at the Town Hall.

It is suggested that a car park could be built off Anchor Lane to cater for vehicles using the pitch, rather than Derwent Road which could prove too congested.

Cllr Dennis added: "I'm not blaming anybody, although things have been slow getting this started. Often land exchange deals can get lengthy but we could chase this a little harder."

A spokesman for Bellway Homes said: "The responsibility for the provision of a football pitch is firmly in the hands of Bolton Council as of June 1, 2002.

"We came to an agreement with Bolton Council whereby we paid a cash price to the local authority with the understanding the money would be used to pay for the football pitch."

A council spokesman said: "We are looking into the matter."