Property developers Barratt and David Wilson Homes have told Bradford Council they are interested in building on land the authority owns, should a new supermarket plan for the area get the go-ahead.

If the ‘Shipley Link’ planning application goes through, recycling firm Crossley Evans could be moved from its home on Otley Road, Shipley, and a new supermarket, cafe and petrol station be built in its place.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes say replacing the scrapyard would bring “tremendous visual improvements” and help regenerate the area.

The Council is currently considering three planning applications for new supermarkets in the Shipley area – the one at the Crossley Evans site, another at the Cardinal shopfitters’ base at Airedale Mills and a third for a new Morrisons and 94 homes in the Crag Road area.

The managing director of Barratt and David Wilson Homes has written to Bradford Council about land on Crag Road in Windhill.

Ian Ruthven’s letter referred to a meeting between the company and Council representatives about opportunities in the Bradford area. It acknowledged that the Council is talking to Skipton Properties about its planning application for the Crag Road area.

It said: “Whilst we have no desire to disrupt these negotiations, I am, as promised, writing to you to confirm our interest in the site in the event that the Morrisons’ scheme doesn’t progress.”

The house builders have been speaking to GMI Developments, which is the firm behind the proposals to build a supermarket, cafe, petrol station, business units and new rail maintenance depot on the Crossley Evans site.

Mr Ruthven said: “We have been talking to GMI regarding its Shipley Link site and in the event that this scheme gets approval, then we think the Crag Road site would present an excellent opportunity for Barratt David Wilson to develop an (affordable) residential scheme in a very sustainable location which, taken together with the tremendous visual improvements which will be brought about by the proposed redevelopment of the scrap metal yard, could help to significantly regenerate this part of Shipley.”

Managing director of GMI Developments Chris Gilman said: “The Crag Road site wouldn’t make a very desirable residential scheme unless the scrapyard it presently overlooks is redeveloped, so this is the clear solution for bringing a comprehensive regeneration scheme to Shipley.”

But Matthew Evans, who runs Crossley Evans, said Mr Gilman’s comments showed a “lack of respect for the opinions of Shipley residents” who had supported the threatened firm.

Mr Evans said: “The weight of opinion is overwhelming in favour of the alternate planning applications, in particular that of local companies Morrisons and Skipton Properties.”