PLANS to move Baildon Library into a former social club in the town centre will move forward after being backed by Council bosses.

The plans to sell the building the existing library is based in - Ian Clough Hall, was also discussed at the Executive meeting, with one officer saying residential use was "likely" for the site.

The future of the town library has been uncertain ever since Bradford Council announced plans to close the ageing hall.

Shortly before Christmas the Council revealed that it planned to purchase Baildon Club - next to Ian Clough Hall, and convert the building into the new Baildon Library.

Work to convert the club into a new library will cost around £475,000. Details of how much the Council will pay to purchase the building have not been made public.

The Ian Clough Hall site would be sold by the Council, although a pay and display car park next to the building would be retained.

The plans were discussed at a meeting of Bradford Council's Executive today.

Ben Middleton, estates and property, said: "Ian Clough Hall is no longer fit for purpose, and needs to be permanently closed.

"Bradford Council have no other suitable accommodation for the library in Baildon, so it is proposed to purchase this property. The social club could be converted into a library quite easily, and Baildon Town Council would also be able to retain office space."

He said re-using the social club building would "support the heritage of the town centre."

The new library will also reference Ian Clough, the local climber the hall was named after - members were told.

Councillor Mike Pollard (Cons, Baildon) said: "Baildon residents will greatly welcome new clarity about the future of the Ian Clough Hall site and the library."

He said he imagined residential use would be the "most suitable and commercially viable option" for the Ian Clough Hall site.

Mr Middleton replied: "In terms of the proposed use, yes, residential is going to be the most likely use."

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, Executive for Regeneration, Planning and Highways, said the Council would require a "high quality design" for whatever was built on the Ian Clough Hall site, adding: "It is not just improving the library service, it is helping the regeneration of the town."

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Executive for Healthy People and Places, said: "Baildon Library is a very important service, well used by the local community."

Members were told that the new library would likely open in early 2023, and a temporary library would be created in the former Martin's store on Northgate until the new facility opened.