A group with plans to re-develop a community centre could be forced to hand back the lease of the derelict building after years of apparent inaction.

The Greenwood Centre, in Swain House, in Bradford, is currently an eyesore that has been blighted by years of vandalism and arson.

Two years ago community interest company Inspired Neighbourhoods said it was planning an extensive renovation of the building, which is owned by Bradford Council but leased to the company on a long term basis.

They said the building would become a “vibrant hub for community activities”, including youth programmes, advice sessions and a food bank.

placeholder image — Greenwood Centre in Bradford

At the time, they said the aim was to have this new centre open in early 2025.

But two years later the building, constructed in 1980, remains in a poor state, and there has been increased calls for action to be taken by Bradford Council.

The authority has now revealed it will urge Inspired Neighbourhoods to surrender the lease to the building, or it could be taken to court for forfeiture proceedings.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service had been contacted by a resident who lives near the centre who was concerned that two years after the refurbishment announcement, there had been no progress.

A similar concern was raised by former Bolton and Undercliffe Councillor David Ward shortly before the local elections.

In response to his concerns, the council said: “Following the officer’s meeting with INCIC (in 2024) progress seemed to being made in making the former Greenwood Centre secure and some refurbishment commenced however this has subsequently ceased.

“It is considered that INCIC have been given the opportunity to remedy the breaches of their lease terms, to refurbish the Greenwood Centre and to bring it back into community use.

“INCIC are to be asked to voluntarily surrender the lease, should they fail to do so court proceedings will commence for forfeiture. Once vacant possession has been attained a review will determine the future use of the site.”

When the concerns were put to Inspired Neighbourhoods, a spokesperson told the LDRS: “The redevelopment of the centre after suffering significant fire damage is a complex process and has involved extensive technical assessments, design work and compliance requirements to ensure the building can be safely and sustainably brought back into use. “While this has taken longer than originally anticipated, we have been progressing the project behind the scenes and remain fully committed to restoring the centre.

“Our vision for the Greenwood Centre remains unchanged. Once completed, it will become a vibrant community hub offering a range of services, including activities for young people, employment and business support, advice services and wider community activities that will benefit local residents.

“We are committed to delivering a high-quality facility that will serve the community for many years to come and look forward to sharing further updates as the project progresses.”

Bradford Council was contacted for the latest on the situation, and issued the following statement. “Officers are currently in the process of writing to INCIC and instructing legal colleagues to seek a voluntarily surrender of the lease, should they fail to do so court proceedings will commence for forfeiture.

“Once vacant possession has been attained a review will determine the future use of the site.”

Inspired Neighbourhoods says it plans to meet with Bradford Council to discuss the matter further.

Discussing the state of the building, Michelle Pringle, who has lived near the centre for 41 years, said: “It’s depressing, it’s an absolute eyesore. It’s so dangerous – there are children going in there every single day, kids climbing on the burnt rafters.

“We’ve been told so many different things are going to be happening with the building – but nothing gets done. It’s like it’s just forgotten about.

“It used to be a fantastic community centre. There were activities for children and also things for adults, like courses. I’d love to see it become a youth centre.

“This a big estate with lots of children around – it would be great to have somewhere for the kids to go again. As it is now, though, it’s just such a sad sight – I don’t want to open my curtains because that’s what you see.”

Veronica Male said: “I’ve lived here 40 and I’m really sad about the state the building is in. It’s an absolute mess.

“I used to work there as a volunteer and my children and grandchildren went there – they loved it there. To see it all burnt-out, to see nothing happening there, is just disgraceful.”