COUNCILLORS were due to hear yesterday of a delay to the building of a new 64-bedroom accommodation block at acclaimed Ilkley outdoor education centre Nell Bank.

Bradford Schools Forum gave a one-off £500,000 grant earlier this year for work at the centre, in Denton Road, which will provide up-to-date facilities for visitors.

The forum had already provided about £1 million in 2012 to improve facilities at the centre, as well as at Ingleborough Hall and Buckden House in the Yorkshire Dales. All three facilities are used by Bradford schools for day visits and overnight stays.

It was reported earlier this year that the works at Nell Bank were being deferred until the summer of 2015 because an "unrealistic

design" against the budget was in place. This led to the additional grant being made.

A report due to go before Bradford Council's children's services overview and scrutiny committee yesterday says the original start date scheduled for the work was August 3.

But this was held up by the value of the tenders received for the project and the amount of the budget to complete the planned works. Although a suitable builder has now been found, this delayed the planned start date.

The report said: "The tenders themselves differed widely in price.

"Enquiries have been made into this, which has concluded the nature of the work at the centre is not attractive to the local construction industry. This has been reflected in the tender returns, which are not competitive."

The activity centre provides day and residential experiences for schools and community groups across a full age range and for visitors of all abilities.

As well as catering for adult visitors and groups from major companies, about 90 per cent of Bradford district primary schools pay visits each year.

Although accommodation has been refurbished, the buildings themselves are ageing.

Meanwhile, talks are ongoing regarding the future shape of any trust, or trusts, relating to the outdoor centres.

Bradford Council wants all three centres to become financially self-sustaining and fully independent of the local authority by April 2017.