Plans for a railway station in the south of Bradford have “taken a major step forward” as Network Rail has submitted plans for the multi-million pound project.

The station and car park, which will be built on land off New Works Road, Low Moor, is due to open at the end of 2015 and it is hoped it will kick-start other projects and development in the area. It will cost about £7.5 million.

The application to Bradford Council includes 123 car parking spaces, eight disabled spaces and ten spots for cycles.

The new station has been in the planning for about 14 years and Wyke councillor David Warburton said he was “highly delighted” by the latest development.

The Labour councillor has stepped back from the planning process because of his support of the project.

He said local councillors, colleagues in the Cleckheaton ward, businesses and residents had all been greatly involved in discussions about the station.

He said: “I’m highly delighted. It’s been a long hard struggle to get to where we are today.

“It was nice to know that on February 28 the [West Yorkshire] Integrated Transport Authority gave approval for the final part of capital funding required.”

Ward colleague Coun Sarah Ferriby (Lab) said the application submission was “very, very exciting” news.

“It’s positive for the community and handy for the community, it will create links to all over the country,” she added.

The chairman of the Friends of Low Moor Station group, Dave Stevens, said the station would mean people could get from Low Moor to Bradford in five minutes, rather than the 20 a bus takes.

“It’s fantastic news for the people of South Bradford – Low Moor, Oakenshaw, Wyke – and the surrounding areas because it will make a huge difference to how we can make journeys,” he said.

James Vasey, the chairman of Bradford Rail Users Group, agreed.

“It will also bring people into work at places such as BASF, so people don’t have to drive into Low Moor. It’s not just about commuters, it’s about bringing people in,” he said Initially one service an hour is planned, but that is expected to increase according to demand.

Mike Cartwright, policy and representation executive of Bradford Chamber, said: “The business case is now well-established.”

Metro’s district spokesman for Bradford, Coun Imran Khan, said: “Low Moor Rail Station is a much-needed addition to West Yorkshire’s local rail network, and has a strong business case. It would provide strategic economic and social benefits through improved access to train services to Bradford Interchange, Leeds, Halifax and beyond which is why Metro and its partners have remained committed to making this key project happen during the December 2015 timetable.”