Hotel and cinema among Keighley college site ideas

2:10pm Wednesday 10th June 2009

By David Knights

A hotel, cinema and offices are among suggestions showcased at a public exhibition.

Local people are being asked their views on three options for the twin sites on North Street and Cavendish Street.

The existing buildings are currently home to the Keighley campus of Leeds City College, formerly Park Lane College Keighley.

The college will vacate the buildings in the summer of next year and move to a new £35 million campus next to Keighley Railway Station.

Option 1 is a partial conversion, retaining some of the old Mechanics’ Institute but adding new offices, a 60-room hotel, retail space and a 38-space car park.

Option 2 is a part conversion with a new 52-room hotel, keeping the former Mechanics’ Institute art block for conference/exhibition and gallery space and an 18-space car park.

Option 3 is a whole new-build including office space, specialist retail, new build cinema/conference/exhibition and gallery space, a 60-room hotel, covered parking for 150 vehicles and a shopping arcade over the parking area.

The three options are being exhibited in the Airedale Shopping Centre from today until Saturday and for the next few days on the websites — keighleynews.co.uk and airedalepartnership.org. People can comment on the plans.

The exhibition has been organised by regeneration agency the Airedale Partnership and consultants Building Design Partnership (BDP).

The Airedale Partnership will work with consultants to prepare a development strategy once the site becomes vacant in 2010.

Cllr Adrian Naylor, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, said the future of the site could be a huge asset to Keighley town centre.

He said: “It is vital that local people get to have their say. Anyone has a chance to view the plans in the Airedale Centre and submit their views.”

Francis Glare, director at BDP, said: “This is a great site at the heart of Keighley. We want to ensure that whatever replaces the college on this site adds to the vibrancy and attractiveness of the town centre.”

For more information on the options, contact Kulbir Sandhu on 01535 618095 or at the Airedale Partnership Office, 68b North Street, Keighley BD21 3RY.