COUNCIL bosses have agreed to sell part of Rakehead Recreation Ground so it can be turned into a hospital car park.

Burnley Council's executive approved selling the children's play area to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust so that it can be turned into a 147-space car park for Burnley General Hospital.

The controversial plan sparked protest from residents when originally announced in 2005, but members have been assured that the £100,000 generated from the sale will be re-invested to create a new play area and keep some of the grassed area.

A report said: "Currently Rakehead Recreation Ground is not providing quality provision due to old, out-dated facilities and no clear design or layout for the site."

And executive member for leisure Coun Roger Frost welcomed the plans, saying: "The sale will give the borough the opportunity to undertake a review of what can be done with the recreation ground and the promise to replace a rundown play area.

"We will lose some land but we will get a better playground and better facilities for children."

Parking at the hospital has been a problem for years, with the trust claiming it needs to double the 1,000 spaces.

The council's executive gave an "in principle" approval to sale of the land last January, subject to the NHS trust gaining planning permission for a car park which has now been approved.

Work is expected to start in July.