A Bradford football club says it could go out of business if it fails to get planning permission to sell off part of its site for housing.

Eccleshill United Sports and Social Club hopes to put in a second application this week for outline planning permission to build homes on training pitches at its Plumpton Park ground, in Kingsway, Wrose.

It withdrew a previous application in 2008 following strong opposition over the development of up to 80 homes.

The club’s chairman John Offless has said the club had been in financial difficulties for a number of years, but its future now rested on a new application for permission to build about 50 homes.

He said: “If we don’t get planning permission I don’t think there’s a lot of hope for the club.

“Things are a bit desperate – we need the planning permission to be able to move the club forward.

“Quite honestly, if this doesn’t work what will happen is that the whole site will be sold and we will not just lose half the site, but we will lose the whole of the site and some developer will come in and build on it.”

If the planning permission goes ahead the club, formed in 1965, would aim to develop a new playing and training facility in Gaisby Lane to make up for the loss of land at Plumpton Park.

Mr Offless said: “We will lose the top field where the juniors play. We are looking to develop a site at the very top of Gaisby Lane in Wrose.

“That will have two playing pitches, two training fields and car parking for between 60 to 70 cars.”

Mr Offless said at the end of 2009, the club was left with a debt of £250,000. He said: “We have seriously worked on that and there are members and people that have helped support the club.”

The previous application was withdrawn as residents feared the plans would mean an increase in traffic, particularly in Kingsway, and that new homes would overlook their own.

Mr Offless said the club had worked hard to improve the new application and had sent a letter to residents detailing the latest plans.

Councillor Vanda Greenwood (Lab, Windhill and Wrose) said: “The club has recently been struggling financially and has been for some time.

“It is disappointing that they are having to sell off the land but they have been left with little choice if the club is to survive.

“They are in the process of consulting with residents who are directly affected.”