Baildon’s £1.25m eco-community centre has been officially opened.

The building, designed by architects Eco Arc, is the first carbon neutral community centre in the country.

On Saturday, residents and staff gathered at Baildon Community Link to watch the ceremony.

Centre manager Lucy Maddison said: “We have had a fantastic turn out – I would guess between 150 and 200 – through the doors.

“The community have been incredible and everybody is thrilled with the new centre.”

The choir Noteworthy Women performed a song penned for the occasion and artist Yvonne Parr held painting sessions for visitors.

Their artworks will form the basis of a mural which will have pride of place in the centre’s main hall.

A new rag-rug was also unveiled following speeches by Bradford Councillor Andrew Mallinson, who cut the ribbon, and chairman of the centre’s trustees, Rene Lancaster.

The rug was made by Diane West, with the help of a women’s group at the centre.

The building includes a green-roof bedded by plants to reduce the amount of water flowing into drains and to maintain vegetation for wildlife.

Other energy-saving features include solar panels and a natural and controllable ventilation system.

Building work on the new centre began in May last year and this February the centre re-opened.

  • Read the full story in Monday's T&A