The restoration of a listed building that is part of Keighley's Victorian heritage is being held up until a user can be found.

Bradford Building Preservation Trust won a £48,000 lottery handout in June to help restore Cliffe Castle Lodge in Skipton Road. Now they need to find an organisation prepared to pump cash into the building and use it, preferably as office space.

The trust needs at least £30,000 more to meet the cost of restoring the 120-year-old building, which forms part of the gateway to Cliffe Castle grounds.

The building, originally servants' quarters, is Grade II listed and at present is boarded up against vandalism and theft.

Derek O'Hearne, BBPT chairman, said: "It's a very expensive building to renovate and we have grant aid, but there is a shortfall of between £30,000 and £35,000. So we need an end user who is prepared to rent or buy the building.

"The trust does not have sufficient funds to carry out the work and then hold onto the building until a user can be found."

He said the internal layout of the building could be designed to meet the requirements of whoever decided to use it. Commercial use is the favoured option but it could be used for residential purposes.

There is a covenant which prevents any alterations to the exterior of the single-storey stone building.

The trust has sought the help of Keighley-based estate agents Dacre Son & Hartley to find an end-user.

The building is part of the Cliffe Castle estate of Keighley 19th century textile mogul Henry Butterfield.

Anyone who is interested in using it should contact Michael Greaves at Dacre Son & Hartley on 01535 605646.

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