A YOUTH association has applied for planning permission to build a new sports centre at Ilkley's Warehouse youth centre, despite a "challenging" financial environment.

Ilkley Youth and Community Association (IYCA) announced it has submitted a planning application to Bradford Council for the development of a sports hall behind The Warehouse, on Little Lane.

IYCA chairman and Ilkley ward councillor, Martin Smith, says the new facility would be the only public sports hall in the Ilkley area open to all at a cost recovery and maintenance basis for a variety of activities to help maintain the health of Ilkley residents and young people.

The Warehouse youth club regularly caters for between 25 and 40 young people, but but low ceilings and the irregular shape of its rooms mean the building is not suitable for sports such as five-a-side football, basketball or volleyball.

The town's three ward councillor previously pledged money to the new facilities, and earlier this year, IYCA appealed to local companies to help make up funds of about £250,000 needed for the new sports hall.

The Association is a charity and has a 21 year lease on the youth club premises.

Cllr Smith said: "In partnership with service providers including; Ilkley Grammar School, Ilkley Parish Council, the local Police, Job Centre Plus as well as the health team at Airedale Hospital, we, together with the health and welfare teams, are keen to focus on the work at the Warehouse, linked closely with much enjoyable activity during Club meetings.

"We feel that the Warehouse, together with the Children’s Centre, could support each other, hence the position of the Youth service in Ilkley is being supported at the moment."

He added: "With Bradford Council's recent commitment to a youth hub in Ilkley we can now proceed with the plan for a Sports Hall on the rear yard. The construction of high a thermal standard, environmentally friendly structure is proposed."

Coun Smith says IYCA has prepared a list of local Ilkley businesses from which it will seek additional funding for the shortfall of about £110,000.

He said: "The Sports Hall would encourage a wide variety of other users, such as sports clubs, junior football training, gymnastics, boxing, table tennis, handball, arts groups such as dance and youth theatre. In addition the wider community could participate in activities to improve general fitness and health without stressing their bodies.

"This facility would provide the missing link in the strategic requirements of the Wharfe Valley and would fit with the national Olympic Legacy plans, the Government’s priority age group for sport, 14 – 25 year olds and the Strategy for Sport & Physical Activity in the Bradford district 2011 – 2015."

The planning application is expected to be determined by Bradford Council.