Keighley: The horticultural site will become an eco-business hub

A horticultural activity center near Bradford will be able to bring disused buildings back to life after being handed funding to upgrade.

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

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

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

It currently houses the land management group Yorgreen CIC, a community interest company.

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

“Our focus is to create a net zero place that is a home for groups and social enterprises with an environmental or welfare purpose.”

The buildings to be restored include workshops, kitchens, offices and classrooms.

Mr O’Hare added: “We have a real vision for Woodville and funding from the Keighley Towns Fund will help us take this forward through infrastructure investment.”

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

Keighley Towns Fund chairman Tim Rogers said the center would offer wellbeing sessions and volunteering opportunities.

He added: “There is nothing like it anywhere and their vision to become a net zero site with offices and training space is such a big boost for Keighley.”

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