A PARK’S bowling pavilion could be demolished in an attempt to make the area “less attractive to undesirables”.
Devonshire Park in Keighley has long been seen as a problem area for drugs and anti-social behaviour.
In recent years there have been reports of visitors to the park discovering needles, and a number of people have been given sentences for possession of drugs with intention to supply at the site.
Bradford Council has now announced plans to demolish a long-empty bowling pavilion building at the Victorian park – which it says provides cover for crime.
An application to demolish the building, which has been empty for ten years, and retaining walls has now been submitted by the council.
Once the site was cleared, the steps would be re-graded and the entire plot grassed over.
The application says: “The area has been subjected to unsocial behaviour, namely drugs and vandalism. These works are also intended to open the area up and make it less attractive to undesirables.”
Council conservation officer Jon Ackroyd said: "For a park of the period it is somewhat surprising that Devonshire Park is not included in the register of historic parks.
"It is however included in the Devonshire Park and Cliffe Castle conservation area.
"The bowls pavilion has no architectural significance and does not make a significant contribution to the conservation area.
"Although the bowling green has some significance as a period feature, indicative of social trends and leisure activity, the loss of the pavilion and associated structures will not cause significant harm to the conservation area.
"The open aspect of the area, with surrounding trees, will remain and thus the prevailing character of the area will be unharmed."
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