A MAJOR study into the future of Cowling's run-down village hall will be unveiled to the public from next Monday.

A specialist firm of architects has been brought in to look at how much it would cost to refurbish the existing hall and bring it up to today's required standards.

And the experts have also looked at other sites in the village and how much money would be needed to build a brand new hall.

The existing hall, built as a Liberal Club in 1885, is used by many Cowling groups or organisations and is also home to the village's library.

But it is in a bad state of repair after being neglected over the years.

The Herald has obtained a copy of the feasibility study, which will go on display next week in the village hall and at St Andrew's Methodist Church, along with copies of the layouts of proposed modifications and new buildings. The 50-page report looks at six suitable sites, including Royd Mill, currently the home of Keylighting which is moving to new premises in Keighley.

Details of the report are:

Existing village hall - the cost of refurbishment (not including fixtures and fittings) has been put at £187,000, to include a small extension.

"The retention of this pleasant Victorian building (after renovation) as a village hall will be an asset to the village," it says. "Considering there is a nil cost for land purchase, the conversion and refurbishment of the hall is the cheapest option of the six sites being considered."

Ling Crag Gardens - the cost has been put at £313,000 to build a new hall, but this does not include the cost of the land. Any decision will have to wait until the outcome of a planning appeal for four houses on the site.

Royd Mill - the estimated cost is £323,000, plus a further £200,000 to buy the site. This could be reduced to £55,000 if the existing village hall and a separate office building on the site are sold. This is the most expensive site and will lead to the loss of employment property in Cowling.

Former sewerage works - only £15,000 would be needed to buy the site if the village hall were sold. It has been estimated it would also cost £323,000 for a new hall. However, the land could be contaminated and an access road would have to be built.

Springwell Close - £21,000 to buy the site (which could be refunded if the owner can get planning permission for two houses nearby). Once again it has been estimated £313,000 would be needed to build a new hall here.

"A village hall on this site would probably result in one of the lowest bottom line costs," says the report.

Recreation ground - this could be bought with the proceeds of the sale of the existing hall, with £5,000 left over and building costs as above.

"Should the Cowling Recreation Ground Management committee allow building on some of this site and did not require payment, this site would be the cheapest of the new build sites," says the report.

As well as the exhibition, which can also be seen in a smaller format at Cowling's Bay Horse and Black Bull pubs, the hall will throw open its doors next Saturday (February 5) for anyone wanting to look around.

This will be followed by a public meeting on Thursday February 10 at St Andrew's Church for villages to air their views on the project.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.