A 77-YEAR-OLD Worth Valley social club known as "The Idiot Hut" has applied to knock down its run down building and replace it with new premises.

Bradford planners are considering proposals submitted by Oxenhope Social Club, in Watson Close, off Lowertown.

As explained on the club's own website, the venue was dubbed The Idiot Hut thanks to the existing building's quirky history.

It began life as a Methodist chapel in Nelson, Lancashire. However, in the 1930s, a group of mill workers and farmers pooled their resources to buy it, travelled to Nelson, then brought the building to Oxenhope piece by piece via horse and cart.

The property was then re-constructed in Lowertown. The club spokesman noted: "Most parts of the church – such as the partitioning walls – were removed, along with the lectern, which was still on the stage well into the 1970s."

Social club steward, Peter Ousey, said the existing building is wooden, adding that he and his colleagues want to replace it with a rendered breeze block structure on the same location.

Mr Ousey, known as Pav, who has been a club member for 27 years, said: "We do a lot for the community and it's a popular little place, but at the end of the day it is just a wooden hut.

"The building is showing its age, so we would like something which is better and a bit easier on the eye."

The planning applicant, acting on behalf of the club, has said: "The success of this application would make a huge impact on the improvement and social interaction of the community.

"Although the social club is mainly owned and potentially made up of paying members, the club will start to welcome non-members and will be open to all the public.

"A new social club will be formed resulting in better facilities for the members and community. This will contribute by then being able to cater and provide sufficiently for live bands, private functions, children's parties and other social events."

He added that the current building has not previously benefited from extensions or modern facilities despite the club's popularity and its added role as a meeting point for members of the local football team.

"The proposed extension and improvements to the building and facilities is a continuation of the rise in standards now expected from the Government, and would contribute to more energy savings than is current and a more aesthetically pleasing building," he said.

He noted that the new property would feature a kitchen, toilets and access for disabled people.

Members of Oxenhope Parish Council recommended at their latest meeting that the club's demolition and replacement plans should be approved. Councillor Derrick Hopkinson, who is a club member, declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion or the vote.