A GROUP that hopes to boost Holme Wood by transforming a vacant area into a community asset is likely to be handed the ownership of the site.

Children’s charity The Valley Project revealed plans to turn a “no go zone” off Stirling Crescent into an adventure play space earlier this year.

And the project has recently reached two major milestones. Last month planning permission to transform the site was approved by Bradford Council.

And now the Council, which owns the land, has started the process of transferring the site to The Valley Project.

For years the two acre plot of land was blighted by fly tipping and dog mess, but since it was set up last year the charity has been hard at work to turn things around to make it somewhere the residents of Holme Wood could be proud of.

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Its application was to help create a fully-functioning ‘junk’ adventure play space, created by young people using recycled loose parts like pallets, wood and cardboard, with new fencing around the site, basic hygiene facilities and flood lights.

Once the planning application the site was submitted, the Council was sent a petition in support of the scheme.

Approving the plans, officers said: “The proposal will support a recreational function and ensure an underutilised area of informal space is brought into use as an asset to the local community.

“The proposed would look to make positive improvements to the environment and the security of the space to ensure it becomes of value to the local community, and the supporting information indicates many admirable objectives. It also noted that this proposition has been formulated in conjunction with the local community, and subsequently has a high degree of community support.”

Bradford Council has also just issued a public notice that it intends to dispose of the land by transferring it to the group.

A Council spokesperson, said: “Following a Community Asset Transfer application from ‘The Valley Project’ community group, the Council has agreed to lease the land to them at Stirling Crescent, Holme Wood, Bradford by way of a Community Asset Transfer.

“A Community Asset Transfer happens when the ownership and/or management of land or buildings from an organisation like the Council is transferred to a community based organisation or group such as a charity or community interest company.

“Community Asset Transfers are expected to provide local social, economic or environmental benefits and are made at less than the market value - i.e. the buyer pays less than if the property were being sold commercially or leases at less than ‘market rent’.

“The Valley Project demonstrated that their initiative would bring local social and environmental benefits to the community of Holme Wood and as such, the CAT request could be agreed.

“We wish them every success and are confident they can make a positive impact on the local community.

“Bradford Council has the largest number of Community Asset Transfers in the whole of West Yorkshire. Its Community Asset Programme represents a long-term commitment to localism and the Council’s support to community organisations ensuring the best use of available assets.”