A KEIGHLEY councillor has called for the former Keighley College site on North Street to be “retained as a green space”, as plans for it to become a ‘health hub’ continue to divide opinion.

The £3.4m development would include GP services, physiotherapy, district nursing, midwifery, health visiting, diabetes support, stroke rehabilitation classes, podiatry, occupational therapy and a pharmacy.

It will be funded as part of the £33m Keighley Town fund grant from the Government.

There have been growing calls for the plans to be scrapped, however, with some hoping for it to instead be used as a public green space.

Cllr Nazam described the site as an “oasis of green space in central Keighley”, and claims that there is an “overwhelming” view from the public that it should remain as such.

He said: “It is clear to me that the overwhelming and very strongly-held view of the people of Keighley and surrounding areas is that this site should be retained as a green space, to be enjoyed by local families, particularly children.

“The recent restrictions on the ability of families and friends to get together and go outside has increased peoples’ appreciation of green open spaces and leisure opportunities generally, and it has been recognised by health practitioners for decades now that, as well as providing an amenity value, open green spaces have a beneficial effect on the mental health of those who take advantage of them, and their provision in urban areas should thus be prioritised.

“I find it concerning that Bradford Council appear to be suggesting to the residents of Keighley that they have a straight choice between an open green space or a health centre.

“When there are numerous sites in Keighley where a health centre could be built, why should we effectively be told to choose between a health centre or a green open space? If the Council so wishes, the people of Keighley could very easily have both. There is no legitimate reason why not.

“The Council has a Keighley Area Committee, to supposedly allow local councillors, representing local residents, to influence decisions regarding the area, yet at the Council meeting on the 13 July, Labour councillors ignored Conservative proposals to allow the petition (with 1,800 signatures), showing the massive public support for keeping the area for open space, to be considered by the Keighley Area Committee, but instead sent it to the Council Executive, where not one of the Councillors who will consider the petition is from the Keighley area.

"My colleagues and I have discussed this situation and we will pressure the Labour members on the Council Executive to listen to local people and protect this oasis of green space in central Keighley. We will not be walking away on this.”