A technology business park in Bingley would provide a vital centre to develop scientists of the future, a head teacher said today.

Bingley Grammar School's head teacher John Patterson hailed proposals for the Bingley Technology Business Park on the former auction market site as "exciting" and said it would boost the area's economy.

The ambitious scheme, which would consist of advanced manufacturing and digital sector businesses, is one of five "priority projects" identified in the Masterplan for Airedale.

The park would work closely with the school to develop future scientists and business leaders from the area.

The Masterplan aims to transform Airedale into a world-leading centre for digital communications by 2020.

Mr Patterson said: "We have put in an application to become a specialist school in science and business and enterprise and what makes it particularly exciting is that we could link these areas to the high-quality industry that would be housed in the business park.

"It's a very exciting development from Bingley's point of view for the future of light industry and it will create employment and attract business people to the town."

The school's deputy head teacher Deborah Duncan said if the specialist bid was successful youngsters could take part in placements at businesses at the park.

"We want to link up with the project as it could open up pathways for individual children who leave school and want to go straight into jobs," she said.

Mike Osborne, of consultants Arup who have drafted the Masterplan, said: "We see the Bingley Auction Market site as a high-quality business park with strong links to Bingley Grammar School."

Leeds-based Thornfield Developments applied earlier this year to build a supermarket on the site but it has already been rejected by Bradford Council planning officers.

David Dinsey, Bingley's town centre manager, said he was delighted Arup supported a business park on the site and not a supermarket.

"I am really pleased that the consultants have not only identified the Bingley Auction Market site as a new Bingley Technology Business Park, but that they have also stated that in their opinion the Myrtle Walk precinct should be replaced with a new, high quality, retail development which is exactly what the people of Bingley, and this includes the traders, have been wanting for a number of years," he said.

Pauline Wood, president of Bingley Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "It's very ambitious and really exciting and I think the Masterplan is exciting for the whole of Bingley."

Developers Thornfield have now tried four times to get permission for the site. The previous applications were refused by Bradford Council on the grounds Bingley was unable to support two major retail food stores, the other being at the Myrtle Walk shopping centre.

The Masterplan, commissioned by private-sector led Airedale Partnership, includes plans to enhance the environment, transport links, and educational and leisure facilities across Airedale. It looks to regenerate Bingley, Keighley and Shipley town centres.