THE PLANNED £19 million ‘one-stop shop’ on the former Keighley College site has come under fire from leading local politicians.

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins called for Bradford Council to spend its money instead saving existing local facilities like Haworth Fire Station and children’s centres.

And fellow Tory Andrew Mallinson, a long-time champion of town centre regeneration, blasted the suggested design of the four-storey building as “getting rid of one box for another box”.

Meanwhile, Keighley Area Committee chairman Khadim Hussain and Keighley town mayor Javaid Akhtar expressed fears the site could remain a ‘black hole’ for years.

The heavy criticism came after the council this week submitted a planning application for future use of the North Street site if its previous application, to demolish the existing college, is approved by councillors.

The new plans would see a new four-storey building occupying the entire footprint of the North Street site, with a ground-floor covered car park, and offices above, to be used as a Community/Public Sector Hub bringing together several organisations.

The plan states: “Although no detailed design has been drawn up, it is expected that the building will be of a contemporary appearance using modern materials but sympathetic to the surrounding architectural landscape.”

The application also reveals a planned “meanwhile use”, creating a landscaped area lasting up to three years, with footpaths, grassed areas and a central seated area. The existing car park would also be extended.

Mr Hopkins described the demolition of the existing building as a positive step.

But he said: “This is a town centre location and given the growing strength of our local economy, it would surely have been an attractive site for a private sector investor to acquire and develop.

“Given the scarcity of resources which Bradford Council constantly complains about, I find it baffling that it can suddenly find significant public funds to build new shiny offices for itself and its partners on a prime site, close to Central Hall and the hugely discredited Civic Centre.

“This money would have been much better spent saving our tourist information offices, Haworth fire station and children's centres.”

Cllr Mallinson demanded that following demolition the council levelled the college site and put it back on sale, in the hope of attracting a commercial buyer.

He said: “I’m extremely disappointed in the length of time it’s taken to get to this point, and would not like public money being wasted creating a park.”

District councillor Khadim Hussain, who represents Keighley Central ward, was concerned that the temporary public park and car park could remain for several years.

He said: “I’m not sure we have the funding in place for the one-stop shop. I want a clear commitment that there is a timeframe for the project. We don’t want another black hole in Keighley.”

Keighley town mayor Javaid Akhtar accepted a mini-park would be better than having an empty, decaying building, but added: “I hope the one-stop shop doesn’t take longer than they’re envisaging. It’s important to bring the site back into use.”