Space around north for scene of conflict (5)
I believe the answer is:
arena
'scene of conflict' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'space around north' is the wordplay.
'space' becomes 'area' (I've seen this in another clue).
'around' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'north' becomes 'N' (synonyms).
'area' placed around 'n' is 'ARENA'.
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for arena that I've seen before include "Enclosure for sports etc." , "An era (anag.)" , "Wembley, say" , "Place of great activity" , "Area of endeavour" .)