THE redevelopment of a large former mill site on the edge of Bradford city centre could create 70 jobs.

The land off Barkerend Road was once part of the Barkerend Mills complex, but the mill buildings on the site were demolished over 30 years ago and the site has been empty ever since.

In 2007 the site, next to a Lidl, was earmarked for a residential and business development, but work on the scheme never started due to the recession the following year.

Now a new scheme to develop the site has been submitted to Bradford Council, and would see industrial buildings, smaller light industrial units and a restaurant built on the site.

The application comes just months after plans to convert the remaining Barkerend Mills buildings next to this site, into 117 apartments were approved.

Submitted by Fraz Investments ltd, the application says the development would create 70 full time jobs, and breathe new life into a site that “attracts the less desirable elements of society.”

The new business will be spread out between four buildings on the site, and there will be parking for 74 cars, including four electric charging spaces, 10 motorbikes and 10 bicycles.

Plan to convert Grade II listed Barkerend Mills into flats is approved

The application predicts that the 408 square metre restaurant will create around 30 jobs, with the 1,882 square metres of industrial businesses creating 40 between them.

It says: “This derelict mill site and the adjacent derelict mill site inevitably attract the less desirable element of society. As an open access site with no current use or overlooking neighbours to give surveillance, both the site and adjacent Pit Lane is vulnerable to low-level vandalism and fly-tipping.

“Proximity to the three derelict Mills allow easy access for local drug-users. Evidence of drug use is apparent within both buildings. This then creates a self-fulfilling spiral of decline in the surrounding area.

“The landowner and applicant have considered various development options for the site over the last 15 years.

“The applicant has identified a large demand for small start-up micro industrial units for the proposed development. This is an activity with a relatively high employment rate relative to size. The ethos behind this project isn’t to provide large scale industrial units but smaller units for ‘start up’ businesses which will allow their businesses to grow and then potentially move to larger premises in the area.

“The proposal represents a significant regeneration opportunity to redevelop a brownfield site that has been beset with problems in recent years and there has been an absence of any significant commitment or desire to develop the site until now. The absence of development of this site will only continue to be at the detriment of those who live and work in the area.”

A decision is expected in December.