The future of one of Denholme’s few employment sites now lies in the hands of Bradford Council and the owners are urging officials to support it.

A retrospective planning application has been submitted for the change of use of the Whitakers Joinery site on Halifax Road into a number of small industrial and retail units. If approved, it could lead to a £100,000 investment at the site.

The village suffered a major blow when the business closed in 2009, making 50 workers unemployed.

With no buyer coming forward for the whole 11,400sq metres site, the building was divided into several smaller units by owners Denholme Storage. These have since been occupied by businesses including a furniture showroom, lawnmower repair shop, car sales and MOT facility, bike repairs, conservatory manufacturer and steel fabricators. There are 25 people currently working there.

But the changes were never approved by Bradford Council, and, in January, planners dismissed Denholme Storage’s retrospective planning application for change of use.

They described it as a “wholly unacceptable development in this unsustainable green belt location” which raised the dangers of increased traffic.

In the hope of keeping the businesses open, the company has now submitted another application, and say they have addressed the previous concerns. They have included a travel plan that will encourage employees to walk or cycle to work, or to use public transport.

The new application to the Council states: “The site is some 90 per cent occupied and supports around 25 jobs. Since acquisition by the applicants, £800,000 has been been invested in the complex and, with planning permission, a further £100,000 will be invested.

“At any time this initiative would warrant support from the council, but more so now with the economy flat lining at best.”

Local councillor Simon Cooke (Con, Bingley), said that he recognised the significance of the site, adding: “It is important that both the applicant and the council work with neighbours so hopefully we can progress with something that provides business benefits but doesn’t do this at the cost of the surrounding area.

“In terms of local employment, it is one of the only sites in town, so it is important we get the balance right.”

The council will decide on this latest application in mid-July.