Backing call for indoor soccer plan

The proposal would change the use of a vacant part of the warehouse to form three pitches, changing rooms, gym, cafe and associated facilities at Dilbag Cloth House in Duncombe Road.

It would also create 15 full-time equivalent jobs and bring a vacant part of the building, which is within an employment zone, back into use.

The proposal has won the support of people in the community as well as local politicians.

A petition with 495 signatures in support of the bid was submitted with the application as well as five letters of support from ward councillors from four different wards.

Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee, which is due to meet today, has been advised to approve the application in principle.

If councillors back the scheme, the application will then be referred to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Members of the Area Planning Panel (Bradford) unanimously recommended that the Regulatory and Appeals Committee approve the application when they met last week.

The chairman of the panel, Robin Owens, said: "I think it is a brilliant use for what has become a surplus piece of industrial building. I noted that there were five letters of support from ward councillors from four different wards. I have never known that to happen before.

"There is obviously a tremendous amount of support from the local community. It would be a huge asset to them. "

A report to be considered by the regulatory and appeals committee said that "the proposed use would not cause conflict with the efficient operational requirements of nearby general industry for night-time working or activities which generate high noise levels".

It added: "Also, the development would support the function of the employment zone by offering a facility that the local workforce could take advantage of and, as a use with a potentially strong community benefit, the site promotes sustainability through re-use of an existing building in an urban location close to the local need."

Supporters of the proposal say the facility would be widely used by local people and provide a valuable asset to the wider community. They believe a sports facility would help to maximise social, economic and environmental benefits and create jobs.

A report to the area planning panel also said the applicants were keen to get involved with schools in the area and offer their facility to promote fitness and healthy living among children.

The facility has won the backing of Integrated Youth Support Services who have previously worked with the applicant in the Lidget Green area of Bradford.

It is also being backed by the extended schools co-ordinator covering the Bradford West area and Ummid, a project that caters for education and developmental needs of school children.

The report to the area planning panel concluded: "Whilst the development proposed would not normally be appropriate within an employment zone it does not adversely affect the function of the surrounding industrial units.

"Further the proposal would relate satisfactorily to the character of the surrounding area and would have no adverse impact on residential amenity or highway safety."