PLANS for a business park on a Keighley industrial site have been approved by Bradford Council.

The go-ahead has been given to develop two 19,500 square-foot units on former Keighley College land.

Ilkley-based company Turner Developments had submitted the application for two adjoining buildings on the 6.5-acre Harold Town site between Dalton lane and Keighley Fire Station.

Bradford Council has said the whole Dalton Lane area is to be designated a Business Development Zone to boost jobs and investment.

Reacting to the approval this week, James Turner, managing director of Turner Developments, said: “We got planning permission just over a week ago for these two light industrial units, which could also be combined into a single 40,000 square foot unit.

“We’re pleased to have this consent, which enables us to begin the development process.

“I think we should be able to start work on site in mid to late summer, and if we can do that we should be finished and ready for occupation by early next year.

“We feel confident that even without an end-user at this stage we’ll find occupiers for both units, either prior to completion or even before we’ve finished.

“There’s always a pent up demand for quality buildings like these, especially in an area like Dalton Lane which is pretty much a commercial and industrial area. Our site is next to Teconnex which is the biggest private employer in Keighley. We believe we’re in a good area for latching onto local demand, and potentially even demand from further afield.”

“