A DEVELOPMENT of flats and shops has been proposed for a prominent site between Keighley town centre and its rail station.

Manchester based MZ Build ltd has submitted a planning application to build a four storey building on the corner of Low Mill Lane and Bradford Road.

It would be made up of three commercial units on the lower ground floor - which is below street level, and 24 one bed flats on the other floors.

The site - next to Khalid's Restaurant, is currently used as a car park.

It is on the other side of Low Mill Lane to listed Keighley Rail Station - home to the Keighley and Worth Valley Rail line.

The planning application says: "The site is presently undeveloped and not used to full capacity, meaning that the proposal would see new economic investment in to the area."

It goes on to say the scheme will be a "car free" development.

New business park planned for Keighley town centre

The application adds: "As the site is highly accessible by a range of public transport modes, within walking distance to local shops and services as demonstrated in the diagram below, it is considered that a car free development is appropriate in this location."

The commercial units could create up to 12 full time jobs - according to the planning documents.

The Council's Conservation Officer Jon Ackroyd has already commented on the plans. He described the proposed building as "undesirably boxy" and suggests it be redesigned to give it a more "engaging architectural identity."

A decision on the application is expected next month.