A PARK’S bowling pavilion could be demolished in an attempt to make the area “less attractive to undesirables.”

Devonshire Park in Keighley town centre has long been seen as a problem area for drugs and anti social behaviour.

In recent years there have been reports of visitors to the park discovering needles, and a number of people have been given sentences for possession of drugs with intention to supply in the park.

Bradford Council has now announced plans to demolish a long empty bowling pavilion building at the Victorian park - which they say blocks off an area of the park from public view, providing a cover for crime.

An application to demolish the building, which has been empty for 10 years, and retaining walls has now been submitted by Bradford Council, with a decision expected next month.

Once the site is cleared, the steps would be re-graded and the entire site grassed over.

The walls around the pavilion are currently damaged, and appear to be fire damaged.

Keighley teen locked up after being caught drug dealing in Devonshire Park

The application says: “The area has been subjected to unsocial behaviour, namely drugs and vandalism.

"These works are also intended to open the area up and make it less attractive to undesirables.”

If the plan is approved, works will involve "the demolition of Bowls pavilion and regrading of derelict/dangerous steps and retaining walls.

"The bowls pavilion has been disused for some time.

"It had fallen into disrepair and subsequently been fire damaged. Likewise the bowling green has been disused for numerous years and the steps/retaining have suffered from vandalism."

The Council's conservation officer Jon Ackroyd has said: "For a park of the period it is somewhat surprising that Devonshire Park is not included in the register of historic parks.

"It is however included in the Devonshire Park and Cliffe Castle conservation area.

"The bowls pavilion has no architectural significance and does not make a significant contribution to the conservation area.

"Although the bowling green has some significance as a period feature, indicative of social trends and leisure activity, the loss of the pavilion and associated structures will not cause significant harm to the conservation area.

"The open aspect of the area, with surrounding trees will remain and thus the prevailing character of the area will be unharmed."