CONFUSION reigns over whether Southampton Sports Centre land will be sold to property developers despite bitter local opposition.

Bassett councillor Alec Samuels will table a motion at the council meeting on Wednesday, Sept-ember 18 asking for clarification on the longstanding land-for- homes debate.

His move comes after the revised draft Local Plan - the land-use document that sets out the basis for making development decisions in the city - stated that "Reference to any residential development (at the Sports Centre) has been deleted from the Plan." However, the document continues: "While a development scheme may go ahead in the future, there is no intention to incorporate any woodland or open space to which the public currently enjoy access."

Councillor Samuels believes this means that several non-public access sites within the Sports Centre grounds, including an old nursery and a depot currently used to store council gardening equipment, will remain prime targets for property developers.

He said: "The wording of the draft revised Local Plan with regard to Southampton Sports Centre is ambiguous and the Conservative Group will be seeking clarification at the council meeting on September 18.

"As far as I understand it, the Sports Centre land by the old nursery and depot is still being considered as land to sell to developers.

"The plans for the Sports Centre have been the biggest single issue in the initial discussions over the Local Plan and will create a lot of debate when the Plan goes to city wide public consultation."

June Bridle, leader of South-ampton City Council, said: "We are looking to make improvements to Southampton Sports Centre and a lot of work has gone into the Sports Centre Develop-ment Plan, but it needs to be funded. One of the options is to sell some of the Centre's land not used for sport or open to public access to residential developers.

"We will not be building on top of the Sports Centre. Indeed, we want the facility to be a focal point for this city."

Bob Whitehead, who handed council bosses a 4,000 plus signature petition against putting up homes on Sports Centre public access land, said: "Until it went to the Local Plan there was no confirmation, but as a group of campaigners we are delighted the council are not going to pursue building on public access land. We hope that they can find funding to improve the Sports Centre, which we approve of."

The revised draft Local Plan is due to be put to the full council on October 16, followed by a six-week city-wide public consultation period. If objectors remain unsatisfied they will put their case to an independent inspector at a public local inquiry set to take place in summer 2003. Set for approval by summer 2004, the Local Plan will cover development applications up to 2011.