A decision to scrap plans for a new £32.9m sports and leisure centre in Bradford has been “rubber stamped” after being reviewed by a cross-party scrutiny panel.
Bradford Council’s Reform UK executive voted last month to discontinue the proposed Squire Lane leisure facility in Girlington, which would have included a public swimming pool.
According to the Green Party, which opposed the cancellation, “not one Conservative or Reform councillor asked a single question” during the review meeting.
Responding, Conservative councillor Debbie Davies described the criticism as “disingenuous to say the least” and said it was “better that the grant is returned than good money be thrown after bad”.
“We are confident that the decision taken was the right one,” she added.
The facility, first approved in 2019, was expected to serve more than 87,000 people living within 1.5 miles (2.4km) of the site.
It had already been awarded £20m in government funding, which would have to be returned if it did not go ahead.
However, council leaders decided to cancel the project after costs increased and members were asked to approve up to £5m in additional borrowing.
