Bingley's former fire station is to be turned into a high class restaurant, at a cost of £150,000, if planners give the go-ahead.

A formal planning application has yet to be submitted. But Kent property developers Boracay Ltd say diners could be tucking into bistro-style meals as early as next spring if major structural work is completed on time.

Boracay Ltd managing director Peter Handy said the Grade 11-listed building in Market Street, bought for £75,000, would be preserved intact apart from a ground floor extension - mainly hidden from public view.

He said: "There is quite a lot of work to do on the building in terms of repairs - it is in a very poor condition. The total area on the ground floor will be 3,750 sq ft so it will be quite a large dining area. Realistically we would hope to open it sometime next year, possibly spring.

"But it's a lovely building and a very prominent one and I think it's redevelopment will be good for the town. There are not that many good eating places in Bingley and we would hope to attract people from the major employers in the town - the Bradford & Bingley Building Society and Damart, for example.

"Also there is the theatre close by and I would envisage people coming into Bingley for that and having the choice of eating before or after the performance.

"The additional space will be created in the yard out at the back and might give us some views towards the river. Upstairs there is a large, attractive room which we might let out for functions."

David Aspland, of chartered surveyors, Donaldsons, who acted for London owners, Foulds Clark, said: "The station is of architectural and historical interest and, subject to planning, will form an excellent leisure facility, bar or restaurant to serve the centre of Bingley."

Bingley councillor Eileen Sinclair, chairman of the Shipley planning sub-committee, said: "It's good if we can get people in to redevelop these sorts of buildings. It will encourage people to the town.''

The building, which ceased to be a fire station in 1972, was turned into a health centre the following year but mums said the steps were too steep and it was too cold for their children.

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