PLANS TO convert a community activity centre in Shipley into flats have been criticised by members of the community who use it.

The Anchorage Activity Centre on Westcliffe Road, Shipley, was opened in 1985 by the Princess Royal.

It is home to many activities for over-50s in the community including indoor bowling, curling, keep fit, table tennis, line dancing and whist.

The centre can also be hired and used by people of all ages for parties, groups, rehearsals, events and meetings.

Users say that originally, the Anchorage was run as a club, with members paying an annual fee and a fee each time they attended an activity but a few years ago Anchor Trust decided to take over its running and abolished the membership to encourage the general public to use it.

Anchor say that the Anchorage is unprofitable, and the care home and retirement flats company has submitted plans to covert the two-storey building and build an extension to create seven affordable flats.

A statement in support of the application states: “The Anchorage is now an underutilised part of the site and it is intended to make more efficient use of this space by providing additional units of accommodation, while making improvements to the existing communal facilities in Peaselands.”

Local MP Philip Davies slated the plans saying: “Over 300 people use the centre every week. It’s a complete disregard for the local community.

“It’s an absolute lifeline. There is no alternative provision for those who use it.”

Users say it is a very popular hub and dozens of comments on Bradford Council’s planning website say the centre should be retained.

Indoor bowler, choir singer and music librarian Alan Tampion said: “It is also a rehearsal venue for a swing band which gives an annual Christmas concert, and Shipley Musical Union Male Voice Choir which gives four concerts each year. All these events are well supported.

“The Anchorage provides the elderly with a place to join in activities and to meet and socialise, an important asset for those living alone, as many patrons are. The result, if these plans are passed, is that many of the activities will be lost to the patrons and the elderly, some of whom are in their 90s, will lose the opportunity to keep active and to socialise.”

Mr Tampion added: “When community assets are becoming more and more important to an ageing population these plans, if passed, will deprive many elderly people in Shipley and surrounding areas of a long-standing, much-loved and much used facility, near to transport links and car parking.”

Sharon McDickens, district manager for The Anchorage, said: “The community centre has become financially unviable, incurring financial losses for several years, so it’s with regret we have decided to close the centre. I appreciate how upsetting this decision may be for people using it but this decision wasn’t taken lightly.

“We are keen to ensure this provision continues so it’s our intention to remodel the lounge at nearby Peaselands to enable some of the activities to be transferred to those premises.

“Demand for rented property in Shipley is very high so building the seven more units proposed will help meet the social housing need in the area.”