A Bradford councillor has denied that a property developer’s bid for regeneration funding was turned down.

Last week, the Keighley News reported that the buyer of the town’s disused North Street county court building had unsuccessfully applied for a share of the £2.7 million Keighley Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Turner Developments management director James Turner said he was surprised and disappointed by the refusal.

But Coun Val Slater, Bradford Council’s executive member for housing, planning and transport, has responded: “The money from this fund is being used to make improvements to buildings in North Street, Church Street and the adjacent streets in Keighley.

“It is being allocated to those buildings most in need of improvements first. The application for funding to carry out repairs to the old county court building has not been turned down.

“It has been placed on a list, together with other projects with lower priority need, which will be considered again if funding is still available.”

Mr Turner, whose firm plans to refurbish the old court and let it out to a commercial tenant, said despite this indication that Townscape Heritage could be offered in future he would “not hold his breath”.