A huge new sports facility could be built on a former waste site that was ravaged by fire.
The development would include a sports centre, complete with indoor and outdoor football pitches, fitness suite and café, a shop and a takeaway – and is expected to create 50 jobs.
An application to transform Consortium House on Valley Road in Shipley has this week been submitted by PH Holdings.
The site was most recently used by waste contractor Associated Waste Management until a major fire caused huge amounts of damage in August 2018.
Much of the site was demolished after that fire, and has been empty since.
The plans show that the development will be made up of a 7,900 square metre leisure centre, 201 square metre shop and 164 square metre restaurant/take away, as well as a 120 space car park.
It will create 45 full time and five part time jobs, the application claims.
The health centre will also contain a fitness studio, sauna and steam room, spin room and large activity area on the ground floor.
The three football pitches would be based on the first floor, with the outdoor pitch next to the building.
The application does not include any details of future operators.
It says: “The closure of the former waste disposal and recycling centre resulted in the release of a large amount of land with development potential.
“The site is 1.205 hectares and provides the opportunity to enhance the local environment and promote regeneration, whilst making a contribution to wider economic and growth objectives for Shipley.
“The proposed scheme will offer job opportunities to the local area through both the construction phase and the completed build. The application proposal will bring to life an underutilised site and offer community benefits.”
It says that although the site is close to both bus stops and Frizinghall Rail Station, the developers are “exploring” opportunities to divert local bus routes to they could drop passengers off directly in the site.
The application also points out that the development would involve the re-use of a previously developed site.
The proposals had been shared with local residents before the application was submitted, and some of the responses received are included in the application.
One resident said described the plans as a “monstrosity” and asked if it was contradictory to be providing a health centre and a fast food take away.
One said they were “appalled” by the plan while another described it as “over ambitious.”
But one resident said the development could bring jobs and health benefits to the area.
The application says all the residents have been written to by the developer to address their concerns, although these responses are not included in the application.
Bradford Council is expected to decide whether to allow the plans by April.
