CHILDREN have now-here to play after land set-aside for a village "kick-about" area was covered with rubble, a councillor has claimed.

Coun Graham Sowter, who represents Billington and Old Langho, said children in Brockhall Village had nowhere to play football or other games following the construction of 38 new homes.

He claimed that a grassed area on the left-hand-side of the drive leading into the estate had been covered with soil and rubble, making it unsafe for children to use.

He also expressed concern that the village hall, constructed as part of the planning agreement, was being used as a sales office for the remaining properties, which meant that residents had no access to it.

He said: "The construction of 38 properties at Brockhall was subject to several conditions.

"Condition six stated that the formal gardens, the children's kick about area and the village hall shall be completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority.

"The properties are now being sold and occupied but it is not apparent, on any reasonable view, that condition six has been met."

Coun Sowter said the supposed "kick-about" area was covered in seven feet of soil and rubble.

Developer Brockhall Village Ltd declined to comment, but Coun Richard Sherras, chairman of Ribble Valley Council's planning and development committee, said they were investigating.

He revealed that a meeting had taken place between the residents and builders in order to decide the best course of action to resolve the problem.

He said whether or not the construction of a village hall and kick-about area had met planning conditions was something the council was investigating, the results of which would be known soon.