Shipley is set for a hi-tech jobs boost if plans to refurbish a derelict canalside shed in Bradford's 'Silicon Valley' are approved.

Electronics giant Filtronic Comtek is asking Bradford Council for permission to refurbish the former woolcombing shed next to historic Salts Mill on The Waterfront off Salts Mill Road, Shipley.

The plans have been welcomed by Shipley's councillors and the local business community.

The planning application lodged by Filtronic - which employs hundreds of people worldwide - says the venture, if approved, would create 35 new jobs and 20 extra car parking spaces on the 1.8 hectare site by the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

News of the planning application comes just days after Filtronic's neighbour Pace Micro Technology announced a massive rise in profits, which is set to create 100 new jobs at Salts Mill and a further 100 worldwide over the next year.

The 19th-century shed forms part of a canalside site bought by Filtronic from the late Jonathan Silver - the man who helped to transform Saltaire's fortunes when he bought derelict Salts Mill in the 1980s - shortly before the entrepreneur's death in 1997.

Chris Schofield, secretary of the expanding hi-tech company, said the refurbishment would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and would be used for manufacturing components and systems for mobile phone base stations as well as providing some office space.

He added: "It will transform that little part of the complex which is really quite derelict, and reflects the growth of the company.''

Eric Hudson, President of Bradford Chamber of Trade, said: "This is excellent news for Shipley. It's something that would fit in very well in that area which has become our 'Silicon Valley'.

"If it gets permission another 35 people will have a job, which will be good for business and good for the community - it will bring more money and spending into Shipley.''

Councillor John Carroll (Cons, Shipley West) said: "I think anything that's going to create employment in Shipley has to be a good thing.

"We've already got Pace and Filtronic down there and that whole canal corridor is becoming a bit of an employment hotspot."

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