AN UNWELCOMING Keighley allotment site is to be transformed into an accessible community woodland.

More than £50,000 of grant awards have been secured to realise the dream of an urban woodland off North Dean Road, as part of a joint project between Keighley Town Council, Forest of Bradford and Trees for Cities.

WREN landfill community fund is the major backer, offering £43,000, with Trees for Cities and the town council also investing in the scheme.

A large part of the allotment site off North Dean Road will be enhanced during the next six months to ensure better accessibility, new natural recreation amenities and a large-scale tree planting programme.

Keighley Town Council was granted permission from the Secretary of State to change the use of this part of the site to another 'green use' to help make the urban woodland and, ultimately, protect the site from development.

Allotments officer, Lee Senior, said: "The town council expresses its thanks to all involved in making this a reality.

"The council is emphasising the importance of securing the land with a green scheme, which will benefit the public. It is delighted to have made the land available for the betterment of the area."

Existing path routes will be cleared and resurfaced to provide access for all users.

At the end of the project, the site will remain under the management of Keighley Town Council’s allotment and landscapes committee and Mr Senior.

He explained: "It has not been an easy journey. The project has become a reality through the contributions of committed, passionate people, who've worked tirelessly behind the scenes during the past two years.

"The original idea came out of a consultation led by Keighley West Environmental Partnership and Keighley & Ilkley Voluntary Community Action, with input from Keighley Town Council.

"More than 9,000 trees and shrubs indigenous to the area will be planted, along with the creation of new habitats.

"The region has particularly low tree cover compared to other parts of the country, with the south west of the Bradford region having a smaller percentage of woodland cover compared to the national average. This new woodland will not only help address the gap, but will also provide a safe haven for wildlife."

Mr Senior added: "We want to see community woodland that promotes healthy lifestyles and contributes to viable livelihoods.

"We've had a fantastic response from all involved to date. We're sure those people using the adjacent woods and open space will be

excited at the prospect of a much-improved environment on their doorstep, as well as the opportunity to help create it.

"There will be opportunities for local people to be part of the journey and to involve themselves in the decision making, management and recreational use of the woods. This will include community tree planting days, forest schools, wild foods workshops, dry stone walling, tree care and wildflower meadow creation."