COUNCILLORS have questioned the future of an eyesore gateway site in Shipley.
The Carnegie Library, at the notorious junction of Leeds Road and Crag Road in Shipley, has stood derelict for years. In 2013 plans to demolish the building and re-build it as part of a housing development were approved by Bradford Council. The move would be to improve traffic flows at the busy junction.
It was a joint application by supermarket giant Morrisons and Skipton Properties, that included a supermarket and plans for over 100 homes.
But Morrisons has since pulled out of the scheme, leaving the library empty. Skipton properties are building the homes on part of the site.
However the junction works, and library move, was linked to the Morrisons application.
The site was brought up at a meeting of Bradford Council's Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, where members were discussing regeneration projects in Shipley.
Morrisons ‘homes’ plan wins Shipley's store wars
Councillor David Heseltine (Cons, Bingley) said: "This is a significant gateway site and a significant area for urban renewal. It seems there has been little happening."
Simon Woodhurst, Regeneration Development Manager, told him that the land was in private ownership, and the he understood the owner was "reviewing their options." He added: "They are making their mind up what they want to do."
He said if the site was used for a commercial development, the junction works may still be needed, bout they may not be needed if the land was used for housing.
He added: "Commercial use may have implications for the junction. They may still do the library move, we just don't know yet."
Cllr Heseltine said it was important the Council kept a dialogue with the land owner over the site's future.
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