Plans to close or transfer Oakworth’s Holden Hall have been shelved to the joy of its users.

The proposals, which sparked an outcry when announced by Bradford Council as part of its budget cuts, were reversed following calls by residents and councillors to save the premises.

A spokesman for the district council revealed the change of heart on Tuesday.

He said: “The long-term future of the building will now be looked at as part of a review of all the Council’s public and village halls.”

Coun Ian Greenwood, the leader of Bradford Council, said: “We have listened to representations from the public and from Keighley councillors and taken the view that the hall should stay open and in the ownership of the Council.

“There are issues relating to the long-term sustainability of village halls.

“I want to undertake a district-wide review looking at usage, budgets, maintenance costs and repair backlogs so we can identify the most appropriate ways forward for these buildings and which organisations are best placed to run them.”

Jackie McGinnis, who campaigned against the hall’s closure, said she was elated to hear this week’s news.

She said she wanted to thank the Worth Valley ward councillors on behalf of Oakworth village for their efforts to safeguard the property.

Keighley town councillor Allan Rhodes echoed her message of thanks and also highlighted the role played by community group members and the local press.

One of the hall’s users, Haworth resident Rebecca Poulsen, said she was “absolutely delighted” to hear that the building would remain open. “It shows what people can achieve if they get together and campaign for something,” she said.

Worth Valley ward councillor, Glen Miller, said: “I’m pleased to see that the leader of the council has realised a mistake was made, has listened to the people and the ward councillors and changed what I thought was a dodgy budget in the first place.”