A BID to demolish Richard Dunn sports centre is expected to be lodged shortly, it has been confirmed.

The now defunct sports centre closed its doors to the public for the last time in November, as its replacement, Sedburgh Leisure Centre, opened up.

The six councillors in the two wards around the Odsal site, Wibsey and Wyke, have written to local residents to inform them of the latest regarding the eye-catching building's demolition and the future of the site.

The letter states: "As you will know the Richard Dunn building has been replaced by a new centre at Sedbergh and the Council has always been clear that it intends to dispose of the Richard Dunn site for development and we are now starting this process as the new centre is open.

"We want to assure you that nothing will happen on the ground until the new year although a planning application to demolish the building may be submitted before Christmas.

"This application will have to be approved before any action is taken but the Council will be taking steps to secure the site and to make the building safe whilst the consideration of the planning application is taking place."

It confirms that the notification to demolish the building is expected to be submitted to Bradford Council's planning department shortly.

READ MORE: £17.5m Sedbergh Leisure Centre almost ready to open its doors to the public

In slow motion: the final moments of Jacob's Well

The building itself is expected to be demolished mechanically, rather than the "blow-down" that saw Jacob's Well office block brought to the ground earlier this year.

In addition the councillors, including Cllrs Ralph Berry, David Green and Sabiya Khan, for Wibsey, and Cllrs Sarah Ferriby, David Warburton, and Rosie Watson, for Wyke, have arranged a residents' meeting to take place in January, where any concerns can be raised.

The letter added: "We understand that residents will be concerned about any disruption that is likely to be caused by the demolition, should it be approved, and we have organised a drop in session where you can call in and discuss the plans and any concerns you may have with the council at St Matthews Church, Carrbottom Road between 12pm and 8pm on 20th January.

"This will allow the council to try and address your concerns during the demolition process."

In addition they confirmed that the Council planned to being marketing the site next year, adding: "We do not know how much interest in the site there will be, nor for what sort of development; housing, employment or mixed use.

"Once we have received any expressions of interest our technical officers will shortlist those which are seen as most viable and as councillors we would like to reassure you that we will ensure that the shortlisted developers make themselves available to local people to discuss their plans and any concerns that you may have before any decision is taken on the final choice of developer and development This will allow local peoples views to be taken into account."

The Richard Dunn building will be called into duty one last time to host the count for votes cast in the three Bradford constituencies during tomorrow's General Election.

The 1970s building is constructed of reinforced concrete arched beams, blockwork walls and has an aluminium clad trussed roof.