PLANS to expand a run-down youth centre into a hub for the whole community are being considered by Bradford Council.

The Greenwood Centre in Wood Lane, Swain House, is set to see four phases of expansion allowing it to cater for all sections of the community with both indoor and outdoor facilities.

It was acquired from the Council by Inspired Neighbourhoods and continues to operate as a leisure facility, although is run-down and not fully utilised due to a lack of funding.

The application is set to be approved following changes to some of the centre’s external wooden cladding, and construction work will begin almost immediately, and is set to take up to 15 months to complete.

In Inspired Neighbourhoods annual report, it said: “Greenwood will be a hub for physical and mental health, with sports facilities, including pitches for football, cricket, and basketball.

“There will be a day centre for older people alongside activity rooms for younger people, plus community rooms, a health and wellbeing café, conference facilities and meeting rooms.

“In addition, office space will be available to rent for health and mental health organisations, for example dentists, chiropodists, chiropractors, and therapists.”

The development is expected to cost in excess of £1 million.

It will also see the parking space at the centre grow from six spaces and three disabled bays, to 65 parking spaces with six disabled bays, along with bicycle stands, to accommodate for the higher number of users at the centre.

A funding application has also been made to Sport England for the new sports hall, which will be three times bigger than the current one, which is set to be demolished, and will provide space for at least four five-a-side football pitches or one netball pitch. There will also be new changing rooms and disabled facilities, and an outdoor sports pitch will also be constructed alongside the new sports hall.

Councillor Rachel Sunderland (Lib Dem, Bolton & Undercliffe) said: “This is going to ensure a community space accessible to the whole community.

“What’s exciting is this is a project the Council doesn’t have the money to deliver itself.

“The building couldn’t continue in its current state, the roof was coming down and there was damp, so this expansion and redevelopment will secure the future of it for the community.”