PLANS have been submitted to replace Cullingworth village hall.

The development proposed for Lodge Street, off Halifax Road, will also include a children's nursery and a cafe.

The application is now being considered by Bradford Council planning officers.

The project to develop the hall, which will replace the existing rundown and overcrowded building in Station Road, is being co-ordinated by the Village Hall Renewal Committee.

If approved, the proposed new building would be next to Cullingworth Medical Centre. It has been designed by Bradford-based firm Langtry Langton architects.

A detailed architects' design statement accompanying the application states: "Once [the new hall is] built we are responsible for the demolition of the old hall on the current land also owned by Bradford Council.

"The new building has been designed to be contemporary in appearance, while respecting the historic village of Cullingworth.

The nursery is planned to provide for 40 children and staff members.

Commenting on access arrangements, the design statement adds: "By car the community centre is accessed directly from Lodge Street.

"The car park has been positioned to the rear, making use of the existing asphalt area, reducing construction costs and the car park's prominence on

site."

The architects said the plans had been revised over several months, in response to feedback from the Village Hall Renewal Committee, residents and the council's planning department.

This has resulted in the roof line being redesigned, and also a revised car park layout to allow drivers to manoeuvre more easily.

Money from a major fundraising effort will contribute to the cost of the construction, with another £410,000 coming from a contribution by the developer given permission to build 233 homes at Manywells Brow.

The existing village hall was built in 1971 and is run on a not-for-profit basis.