Lawyer Keith Lambert says Justice Centre could serve Airedale (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Lawyer Keith Lambert says Justice Centre could serve Airedale

10:30am Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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A lawyer has called for empty former college buildings to be transformed into a Justice Centre to serve an area stretching from Shipley to Settle.

Keighley solicitor Keith Blackwell wants the buildings in North Street, Keighley, to house the magistrates and county courts from Bingley and Skipton.

And under the same roof could be located all the other allied services including probation and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

His call comes as the Government plans to axe court services in Bingley – transferring them to Bradford – and in Skipton, where people would have to travel to Harrogate.

The consultation period ends on Wednesday, September 15, and Mr Blackwell is urging people to respond by backing the proposal which he says has the support of other lawyers.

The buildings are owned by Bradford Council, which bought them in 2008 using £4 million Government cash. The Airedale Partnership, Keighley’s regeneration agency, has been holding consultations over their future.

Mr Blackwell said: “Bringing services under the same roof would have massive advantages and efficiencies as well as saving millions of pounds.

“There is no reason why a new division couldn’t be set up based on Airedale.”

Mick Milner, a board member of the Airedale Partnership said said: “If the money can be found it wants seriously looking at. But it has to be more than just wishful thinking.”

City Hall’s programmes manager Andy Taylor said: “We are working with the current occupiers, who are the Council’s Localities team from Children’s Services and a community arts organisation called Keighley Arts Factory, to ensure the premises continue to be active.

“We are also looking at more medium-term uses for the buildings and are happy to talk to other people about their financially viable ideas.”