From Keighley News, 23rd November, 2017
Written by David Knights
KEIGHLEY is poised for two top-level meetings to thrash out regeneration plans for the town. MP John Grogan is organising a seminar on Keighley’s economic future on April 20, with key regional speakers. And the town will host the annual meeting of Bradford Council’s regeneration and economy over the view and scrutiny committee that focuses on Keighley issues.
Issues likely to be addressed at both events will be the planned Aire Valley Retail Park in East Parade, town centre road improvements, and the future use of former Keighley College sites.
Labour politician Mr Grogan first revealed his plans to hold an economic seminar soon after becoming Keighley’s MP last summer.
He said this week that one of the main speakers would be Roger Marsh, chairman of the Leeds City Region Local Economic Partnership, which works to improve the whole of West Yorkshire.
He added: “I hope that the Aire Valley Retail Park developers will be in attendance on that date.
“In 2018 I am very hopeful of major announcements regarding the use of the sites of the old college buildings.”
Mr Grogan welcomed news that for the third year running, Bradford Council’s powerful regeneration committee would hold a meeting specifically to discuss Keighley issues.
Committee chairman Adrian Farley, who represents Keighley West ward, has again located the meeting at Keighley Town Hall – on December 19 at 6pm -- to ensure councillors from across the district are aware of the town’s needs.
He is arranging for committee members to tour Cliffe Castle park and museum before the meeting to see a host of improvements spearheaded by the council.
Mr Grogan said: “The meeting of the scrutiny committee is timely as the year will end on an upbeat note with the grand unveiling of all the work at Cliffe Castle.”
Cllr Farley said he had requested updates on several ongoing Keighley projects, including the North Street traffic improvements, Cliffe Castle Park renovation, Keighley Business Improvement District (BID), and long-awaited plans to build a shopping complex on East Parade.
He added: “We’ve invited Keighley Area Committee members and town councillors to attend.”
Craven ward councillor Andrew Mallinson, a member of the regeneration committee, said it was essential councillors were given “clarity” about progress on a host of projects such as the retail park, town centre roads and the planned widening of Hard Ings Road, because they were interlinked.
He added: “I’d like to know what’s changed and how we’ve moved forward in the past 12 months.”