A chemical dumping ground has now been turned into a play area for children living in Keighley's Dalton Lane area.

The Ittehaad Community Assoc-iation, made up of volunteers living in the area, have won their two-year battle with Bradford council to turn the waste area into a play area.

Cllr Malcolm Slater, who helped get the project off the ground, says: "I'm glad we have been able to provide an informal play space which is the best use of a site which became available. This is a good solution to immediate needs."

The council had previously leased the area from foundry engineer Atley Works, which is situated opposite the play space in Dalton Lane. After the lease ended last month, Ittehaad pressed the council to turn the area into a playground.

The association, which was established four years ago, intends to ask the council to clear the ground's blocked gullies, set up a traffic calming scheme along Dalton Lane, plant some trees and put in a few benches in the hard-surface area. It also wants to remove the spikes on top of the fencing around the play space.

The association's general secretary, Mohammed Saleen, says: "The association was set up to provide better services and better benefits to help local people, in terms of reducing crime, tackling any drugs problems and raising awareness of the association's commitment and work, which has brought about this new play area."

Mohammed Younis, vice-chairman of Ittehaad Community Association, says he feels the children's play area is a great achievement for local youngsters to enjoy and is proud of the massive efforts of the association.

Earlier this month, the Ittehaad Community Association held its annual general meeting at which 50 new executive members were elected. The chairman, Ali Akbar Chisty, was re-elected.

Discussed at the meeting were ways to bridge the gap between the different communities in the area by working with voluntary and statutory organisations in the Keighley district.

Also debated were fundraising activities for good causes and the establishment of neighbourhood watch schemes. Future plans of the association include tackling crime and drug issues through links with other agencies.

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