Bradford Council could take over former Keighley College site (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Bradford Council could take over former Keighley College site
7:00am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News
The Cavendish Street building
Bradford Council chiefs are considering using a disused former college building at a prime site in Keighley as a base for employees, despite calls for it to be handed over to the community.
The Council-owned former Keighley College building in Cavendish Street is one of two large buildings – the other being in North Street – which have stood empty for more than two years, following the college’s move to a £35 million purpose-built campus.
A spokesman for Bradford Council said the site could be used as a base for Council services as part of the authority’s “rationalisation project”.
He said: “A council project team has been brought together to ensure any proposed future uses reflect the heritage of North Street, whilst also achieving the full potential of this prominent town centre site.
“As part of the Council’s property rationalisation project, the Cavendish Street building is being considered as a base from which to deliver Council services, but no decision on this has yet been made. Should the Council have no internal requirements, the building will be marketed for disposal alongside the North Street block.”
Keighley town councillors have called for an urgent meeting with Bradford Council leader Councillor David Green to thrash out potential uses for the college complex. The town council is exploring the possibility of taking over the buildings under asset transfer or “community right to buy” legislation.
Suggested uses include a hotel, or bulldozing the North Street segment and turning it into a town centre park.
Town councillor Peter Corkindale said: “My information is that there’s someone in Keighley who wishes to buy it, but Bradford (Council) seems reluctant. We’re asking for top level talks and we’re asking that they don’t drag their heels. I’m looking at any possibility that would bring the building back into use. This town is desperate for a decent hotel.”
He said he understood the North Street building was in such a bad state of repair that bringing it back into use would cost too much.
Comments(3)
Uther Pendragon
says...
5:16pm Tue 16 Oct 12
justjustice
says...
10:13pm Thu 18 Oct 12
As bad as Keighley Council member are, Bradford Council is worse, at least in Keighley we have 2 new shopping centres in the works, Bradford cannot even get their new main one's foundation in place!
If Keighley, and Ilkley et al are to prosper, we need to remove ourselves from this incompetence called Bradford Council! They've ruined their own city, used everyone elses' taxes to pay for a silly pond, and given nothing in return to us or even the people in Bradford.
We need to govern ourselves now!
Walruss says...
8:38am Tue 16 Oct 12
I won't be holding my breath then.