Campaigners are fighting to build a new sports and community centre after a survey revealed a Bradford village had been "stripped" of vital recreation facilities.

Baildon Working Party, a partnership of several village groups, was awarded a £9,000 grant from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to commission the 66-page independent report of community buildings.

It revealed a lack of leisure facilities as a result of closing school buildings in the village because of the district's education reorganisation.

Baildon Recreation Action Group (BRAG) secretary Peter Brook said the four closed schools - Jenny Lane, Tong Park, Sandal and Ferniehurst Primary - meant the loss of a wide range of activities.

"We have been stripped of so much, such as karate, line-dancing, and meeting places for Scouts and Brownies. These are basic facilities that we need for a growing village," said Mr Brook. "Older people also need somewhere where they can meet.

"This is something we already knew but now we have the facts in black and white to help us move forward."

He said Ferniehurst School in particular - it is earmarked for housing in Bradford Council's proposed Unitary Development Plan - offered a host of activities.

BRAG and Baildon Community Council are among those fighting the scheme and their case was due to be heard today at the ongoing six-month public inquiry into the UDP at Victoria Hall, Saltaire.

Protesters want to see the Cliffe Lane West site saved and developed as a community and sports centre.

The report, by Bradford-based Trescom Research and Consultancy, said: "There is almost a total lack of large-scale co-ordinated provision for children and young people."

The research involved interviews with 49 community groups. Most said there was a need for access to meeting rooms and equipment such as a printer and photocopier.

Because Baildon was regarded as an affluent area, it often missed out on regeneration and renewal projects.

Councillor John Cole (Lib Dem, Baildon) said: "That area of Baildon has been at a disadvantage since the school closed and there is a moral argument that some of the land should be made available for community use."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "We are currently working with Sport England to carry out a review of leisure facilities across the district.

"There are proposals to develop new leisure facilities as part of a building expansion at Salt Grammar School which would include a sports hall, available for community use.

"We believe that the Salt Grammar project will have a positive impact on the provision of facilities in the Baildon area.

"People in Baildon do also have the opportunity to use Baildon Recreation Centre as well as the Ian Clough Hall."