Garden activity centre to restore disused buildings

Woodville Activity Centre in Keighley will receive £155,000 of levelling up cash

A horticultural activity centre near Bradford will be able to bring disused buildings back to life after being handed levelling up funding.

Woodville Activity Centre in Keighley has been given a £155,000 Towns Fund grant to develop its site into a social enterprise hub for businesses.

The money will be used for landscaping work to create growing areas and polytunnels, as well as bringing redundant buildings back into use.

In future, the site could host up to 20 businesses with social and environmental purposes.

It is currently home to land management group Yorgreen CIC, a community interest company.

Director Shaun O’Hare said: “We are providing a home for good businesses that aim to create healthier communities and contribute to the green economy.

“Our focus is on creating a net zero place that is a home for groups and social enterprises with an environmental or wellbeing purpose."

Buildings that will be restored include workshops, kitchens, offices, and classrooms.

Mr O’Hare added: "We have a real vision for Woodville and the funding from the Keighley Towns Fund will help us to drive that forward by investing in infrastructure.”

'Huge boost for Keighley'

Together with mental health advocacy group True North Collective and the Keighley food project Healthy Growth Initiative, Yorgreen CIC has taken on a 25-year lease for the site from Bradford Council.

Chair of the Keighley Towns Fund Tim Rogers said the centre would offer wellbeing sessions and volunteering opportunities.

He added: "There is nothing else quite like it anywhere and their vision to become a net zero site with office and training space is such a huge boost for Keighley.”

The site has previously provided horticultural training for young people and those with disabilities.