PLANS for Keighley Town Council to take over a rundown chapel in Utley Cemetery have been dropped.

Councillors accepted a proposal at their monthly meeting last Thursday not to proceed with assuming the management of the disused property.

Councillor John Kirby, who put forward the proposal, said parts of the chapel are in such bad condition, people walking near it should consider wearing a hard hat.

“In my view, it would cost the taxpayer of Keighley a lot of money to put right, and we haven’t got those funds,” he added.

“Bradford Council can do it itself. It is quick to spend money in Bradford, let it spend it in Keighley.

“We’re not against the idea of taking over the chapel, but we can’t take on something that would cost the taxpayer thousands and thousands.

“We can’t take it over in the state it is now.”

He was seconded by Cllr Geraldine Stack, who said: “We’ve already spent enough money on other things. This is a project that should not have got off the ground.”

Cllr Sally Walker stressed the idea to take on the chapel had not been suggested without lengthy discussion and consideration. “It was actually the general public who asked us if could help maintain this property,” she said.

“We didn’t just think willy-nilly we’d buy this building.”

Cllr Michael Westerman said he agreed the council should not take ownership of the chapel. But he recommended writing to Bradford Council to emphasise the importance of maintaining the property, to stop its condition deteriorating further.

Cllr Ron Beale said: “We’re already losing £200,000 a year on the Keighley Civic Centre, so what is the point of putting more money into another building?”

However, allotments and landscapes committee chairman, Cllr Brian Morris, speaking after last Thursday’s meeting said the town council had made a bad decision. “It’s been made before we had a chance to look into this properly,” he said.