OPPOSITION to a school sports centre in Mirfield could have far-reaching consequences, says a councillor.

Clr Martyn Bolt says protesters objecting to the sale of part of Castle Hall School to pay for a sports hall must look at the wider picture.

"Protest groups have said they are not against the building of the sports centre, but they are against the method of funding it," he added.

But he said vital community developments around the town would be jeopardised if a similar objection was levelled at them.

Selling a site for development was often the most effective way of making large amounts of cash, said Clr Bolt.

That is how the new flagship community centre at Gilder Hall is to be paid for.

Clr Bolt added: "When the decision was taken to consolidate the Gilder Hall and community centre, one agreement was that the proceeds raised from the sale of the current community centre would be transferred to the new project.

"If we have a pressure group saying we should not be selling assets to realise a benefit, then the Gilder Hall is the first one under threat."

Battyeford Sports Club, too, wants to raise cash by selling its clubhouse.

"There's not a lot going there, unless somebody turns it into houses," Clr Bolt continued.

"We have got to be careful when a number of objectors make a point they expect to carry through into everything.

"If the funding of the Gilder Hall scheme is to be achieved through the sale of the community centre, that sale would rest on securing planning permission, which in the current climate would be strongly opposed by some local groups," he said.

The new flagship community centre would include sport facilities, including an all-weather pitch and parking.