BAILDON Town Council has announced that it will be withdrawing from managing Ian Clough Hall in the centre of the town.

From April 1 control of the civic building will revert to Bradford Council, which will now look for a “commercial or residential development” on the site – although part will remain a community facility for Baildon.

And the community library in the building will remain there for at least another year.

Since March 2018 the two Councils have been jointly running and sharing costs of the hall, which contains the library, main hall and meeting rooms. It holds functions, classes and community events.

Bracken Hall Countryside Centre now run by Baildon Town Council

Baildon Town Council yesterday announced: “Bradford Council have confirmed that they can no longer commit to sign the Partnership Agreement with Baildon Town Council. This agreement would have allowed Baildon Town Council to have a say in the redevelopment of this important site, which was to include sustainable community facilities also including a new library, which would have been transferred to Baildon Town Council on completion.

“During the last 12 months, three long term users of the hall have terminated their occupancy, due to its poor condition.

“As a result of declining occupancy, Baildon Town Council feels that it can no longer justify a financial commitment to a building little used by the community and in such poor state of repair, especially as all income collected by us was returned to Bradford Council.

“We hope very much to continue work in partnership with Bradford Council, so that any future developments of the site are beneficial to Baildon and sustainable for future generations.”

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: “Whilst understanding their reasons it is with regret that we hear that the BTC no longer wish to be involved in running Ian Clough Hall.

“We will now review the future of the Hall and will consider how the site and the adjacent car park can be redeveloped with a commercial or residential development to include a sustainable community facility and maintain car parking.

“The Council has reaffirmed its commitment to consult fully with BTC on the redevelopment but due to uncertainties in the current economic climate is unable to enter into a formal partnership agreement as previously envisaged as the viability of any community facility will depend on what offers we receive when we take the site to market.

“The changes at Ian Clough Hall do not affect the library that is also managed jointly with BTC on an agreement until April 2020. Bradford Council is looking forward to continue to work with BTC at the library and will ensure that we are actively involved as we look to the future of the site.”