AN ORCHARD is to be planted on a Steeton recreation ground until recently used as an unauthorised car park.

Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council recently approved the orchard plan for Chapel Road and paid £300 to have the area seeded with grass.

The councillors are applying for funding to plant an additional six apple and pear trees.

There will be a three-metre gap between the trees and the wall of Hob Hill, and access to Hob Hill will be retained.

The council recently wrote to nearby residents to point out that car parking was not permitted, due to a covenant on the land stating it must be for recreational use only.

The parish council hopes to provide a new junior sports pitch on the Keighley Road recreation ground in Steeton.

Councillors agreed to appoint the Sports Turf Research Institute to carry out a feasibility study, including drainage and topographical issues.