The Reform UK-led council cancelled the planned Squire Lane leisure facility due to rising costs, leaving £14.6m from an initial £20m Levelling Up grant. Council leader Stephen Place confirmed the government will not claw back the remaining cash, though it must be allocated by 2028. Politicians from Shipley and Bradford East want the funds directed toward Bingley Pool and a new community hub, while Bradford West representatives insist the money belongs to their area. Bradford Council is presently reviewing alternative regeneration options before submitting plans to central government.
Key points
The local council has confirmed that the remaining £14.6m will not be clawed back by the…: The local council has confirmed that the remaining £14.6m will not be clawed back by the government.
Any alternative spending proposals for the regeneration funds must be approved by central…: Any alternative spending proposals for the regeneration funds must be approved by central government before a 2028 deadline.
Local politicians remain divided along constituency lines regarding which community proje…: Local politicians remain divided along constituency lines regarding which community projects should receive the unspent funding.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
Three Labour MPs in Bradford have found themselves scrapping it out for a share of £14.6m left over from a cancelled leisure centre project.
The Reform UK-led council axed the long-planned Squire Lane leisure centre project earlier this year, citing rising costs.
Shipley MP Anna Dixon had backed calls to use some of the money to reopen Bingley Pool, while Bradford East MP Imran Hussain said last week he wanted a share to help turn a derelict building on his patch into a youth and community hub.
Meanwhile, Bradford West MP Naz Shah has recently said the cash should stay in the constituency it was meant for: "This money is something that I secured for Bradford West, and I'd like to keep it in Bradford West."
The competing calls for the funding follow a recent row over whether Bradford could keep the grant at all.
Council leader Stephen Place had initially disputed Dixon's claim that the money was available for other projects, but later confirmed that the government would not claw it back. He said at the time…
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