A councillor is calling for a quick decision on a proposed library.

Coun David Robinson (Lab) believes a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” could be missed if a public library is not designed into the new Appleton Academy at Wyke, Bradford.

The academy, sponsored by Bradford College, opened in September for three to 16-year-olds on the Wyke Manor and High Fernley Primary School sites.

Final designs for a new building on the High Fernley site are being prepared with the intention of opening for the 2011/12 academic year. Outline plans were passed in 2008 which do include a replacement community library.

The Telegraph & Argus reported last month that Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the Council’s executive member for environment and culture, had said it was probable Wyke Library would be combined with the new Appleton Academy, saying where it was now it was “not fit for purpose”. But Coun Robinson fears if action is not taken now then the existing library building in Huddersfield Road could end up being closed on health and safety grounds as it faces a backlog of repairs.

He said: “There is a narrow window of opportunity to secure a state-of-the-art library for Wyke. But if the executive sit on their hands that opportunity will be lost forever. The existing library is no longer fit for purpose.”

Coun Hawkesworth said if the Council decided to include a library at the new school then a decision would be made in line with the timescale for the new building.

She said: “The potential to relocate Wyke library in the proposed Appleton Academy is being assessed by Council officers. We need to consider a range of factors, including what kind of service could be offered, running costs and the value for money for a library on the Appleton site against other options.”