A new fire station could soon be built in Bradford. West Yorkshire Fire Authority today confirmed it is set to negotiate to buy essential land in the city.

The Authority was given outline planning permission by Bradford Council in June 1999 for a new station on vacant land in Maud Street, off Leeds Road.

Four plots at the site have already been bought by the Authority which is set to negotiate to buy another plot from private landowners to enable the development to go ahead.

The Authority says the Nelson Street station is unsuitable for modern firefighting because it is more than 35 years old.

The decision to try to buy the land is expected to be recommended for approval at an executive meeting at the authority's headquarters in Birkenshaw tomorrow.

The Authority's property manager, Robert Davison, said: "When we came up with plans for the new station we earmarked five plots of land to purchase. We already have four of these and this one would be the icing on the cake." Mr Davison added that minimum response times at the new station would be met despite Bradford MPs asking then Home Secretary Jack Straw for an independent review of proposals to relocate the station to Maud Street in December 1999.

The MPs were concerned that fire engines could be delayed by traffic congestion on busy Leeds Road.

Mr Davison said: "The other fire stations such as Idle, Odsal and Fairweather Green can get into the city centre. There are no problems with that. All the research has been done into the matter.

"At the end of the day the public will get a much more modern facility."

A West Yorkshire Fire Authority spokesman said the plan now had Home Secretary approval which was granted at the same time as plans for a new station in Swinnow Lane, Bramley. This is currently being built and is due to open in 2003.

The station will see Pudsey and Bramley stations merge.

Plans for the new Maud Street station include on-site parking and a training tower.