Haworth's Victorian primary school building could be transformed into a top-class hotel.

Superb facilities including a swimming pool and gym would be opened up for use by the local community.

The plan for the Butt Lane site forms part of sweeping proposals which are set to change the face of the Bront village.

A draft package of measures has been drawn up following an in-depth study by the regeneration unit of the national Civic Trust charity, in conjunction with a local steering group.

Full details of its findings and proposed measures will be unveiled at an exhibition in the village, and the public will be urged to give its views. A date and venue for the exhibition is still to be confirmed.

The pioneering Civic Trust project was launched last autumn to consider ways in which benefits to the local community from tourism could be maximised.

Christian Wright, principal consultant with the trust, told us: "We have worked with the steering group to devise an action plan and are now ready to go to public consultation.

"There are some exciting and innovative ideas, and we hope everyone with an interest in Haworth will take the opportunity to study the proposals and comment on them.

"The trust will not itself be able to fund any measures adopted from the study, but it will help identify possible sources of financial support."

Graham Mitchell, who co-produced a Vision of Haworth document - published a year ago - outlining the way forward for the village, says: "We had some good ideas but it has not been possible to move them forward in the way we expected.

"It is very refreshing now to have an independent and objective view from outside the village," he adds.

"With regards to the old primary school building, anything which makes good use of the premises for the benefit of the community is to be welcomed."

Worth Valley Labour councillor John Cope describes the package as "interesting and quite radical".

He welcomes the forthcoming public consultation and hopes it, together with the new parish council, will generate discussion about the village's future development.

He told us: "It is extremely important that residents as well as those interested in tourism can comment on the ideas. Even if after consultation we do not accept all the proposals, it will stimulate debate."

Although precise details of the Civic Trust package are being kept under wraps until consultation begins, one measure has already run into difficulties.

Proposed improvements to the Bront Village Car Park, including a new visitor centre, would be scuppered if plans for a mobile phone mast go ahead. Mr Wright has raised the issue with Bradford council

He says: "I understand the mast would not need planning permission but the local authority - as the landowner - should have strong control over where the structure is situated."

* Fears over mast, p3

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.