An impressive £1 million retail and office development is set to be built on the site of a derelict pub on one of the major gateways into Bradford.

The development, which will also boast industrial units and a conference suite, is planned for a prime spot on Leeds Road.

If planning permission is granted, the Sancorp Business Park, to be built at the junction with Hubert Street, is expected to create around 100 new jobs.

It is intended to demolish the empty Norseman pub to make way for the new three-storey building. It would have retail units on the ground floor, first floor offices and a conference centre above.

The scheme is the first project undertaken by Sancorp, the property development arm of Bradford automotive parts manufacturer and supplier Auto-electro, which has its headquarters next to the new site.

Today the firm's managing director Tony Bhogal said the project reflected a growing confidence in Bradford and, in particular, the Leeds Road corridor.

The area is currently being redeveloped with the help of regeneration organisation Regen 2000. All of the new office and retail space will be made available to let. "I am sure we can find tenants for this new development because Leeds Road is one of the best main roads into Bradford and has a good mix of commercial uses," said Mr Bhogal.

"This company is owned by three brothers who are born and bred in Bradford. We have got confidence in the city and we want to show that. The city has had a lot of bad publicity but I believe it's a place we should be proud of.

"This is a new venture for us and we hope it will attract other major developments into the area."

Councillor Jeannette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle), chairman of the economy and jobs group for Regen 2000, welcomed news of the planned development. She said the regeneration group was already working with shops and businesses on Leeds Road to invest a further £1.5 million.

"We welcome any development that will bring jobs for the future and demolish buildings that are past their shelf life and detracting from the amenity of the area," she said.