ABOUT

NOTE: The information below was written over a year ago. The business plan was submitted to Bradford, and we have been trying to get information and a decision from Bradford ever since. ( update 11 January 2016)

We want to convert the old library building and the Wesley Place building into a community centre

 ‘But I thought this was going to be sold…………’

Where are we now?

We have until the 30 January 2015 to present a business plan – this is where you can help:

It doesn’t matter if you use the Town Hall or the Methodist facilities, or any other facility, we would like your input to be able to design a community facility which meets the needs of the community.

A little history

About 18 months ago it was announced in order to pay for the refurbishment of the Town Hall, Silsden Library was going to be closed and with it the adjacent building in Wesley Place was going to be sold for housing.

This is a centrally located plot of land, which if sold for housing would be lost to the community for ever. It is close to the war memorial and car parks and a few of us thought it should not be lost for use by the community.

A small group was formed to try to safeguard the land and the buildings with the idea of building a community meeting / activities facility.

The existing buildings

 The old library building – this is an old building which is the remnants of the old school building which stood on the site. It is held in affection by many of the residents of Silsden. Downstairs there are two large rooms and 2 other smaller rooms. Upstairs is accessed by narrow stairs with low headroom. From the landing area there are several rooms – a large living area and another two reasonably sized rooms. In addition there is a small storeroom sized room and a toilet.

The Wesley Place building – this is a large substantial building which has not faired well over the last 20 years.  Internally the building is divided up into many small rooms and many of the internal walls are supporting the structure.

What can we do?

The idea is to keep and refurbish the old library building and join it to a completely new Wesley Place building on roughly the same footprint, which would be a large purpose build community hall.  A new building joining the old library building to the new Wesley Place Hall could contain kitchen facilities, small meeting rooms and toilets.  The buildings would be fully disabled (DDA) compliant with parking facilities nearby. We have identified the need for the facilities which will not poach customers from the Town Hall, or any of the other local facilities, but the design is just conceptual at the moment. Sources for funding the project have been identified.

We need this building for the potential wellbeing of Silsden and the future.

Why has it taken so long?

In one word Bradford

Bradford wanted to sell the plot and buildings by auction to recover some of the losses they made on the Town Hall refurbishment and when we expressed an interest in obtaining it for the community they didn’t know what to do or how to value it. This went on for months without any information provided by Bradford. Eventually they said we should provide a document stating how it would benefit the community (we wanted to provide a business plan). They gave us a very short time to put it together and when it was provided they then rejected it saying they wanted a business plan. The asset was then put on the list for the next auction and after discussion removed pending the presentation of a business plan.  We have until 30 January 2015 to produce the business plan.

The Group

The group is composed of local councillors and individuals who have the best interest of Silsden and its future at heart.

Ward Councillors: Adrian Naylor, Chris Atkinson

Silsden Councillors: Rebecca Whitaker, Mags Croft

Individuals: Rick Simpson, Caroline Whitaker, Peter Ford

Secretary: Lesley Corcoran