An £11million landmark food technology park will allow new businesses to get their teeth into one of Bradford's most successful industries.

The development will get off the ground this year and is anticipated to be fully operational in about 12 months' time.

The park, which will be made up of six 150sq metre units, will offer new ventures a space to get started. It will be built on disused land at Ripley Street in the city centre and has just been given the go-ahead by Bradford Council's executive committee.

Potential business enterprises will be given an opportunity to become established without having to pay massive start-up costs.

The park, which is a partnership project between Bradford Council and Commercial Development Projects (CDP), has also received funding from the European Union and Yorkshire Forward.

Dave Partridge, the integrated development plan co-ordinator for Bradford Council, said the units would provide an instant space for businesses to manufacture their products. "It is designed for companies that are just starting out," he said. "They will manufacture from there. In 48 hours from taking on a unit they will be operational.

"The idea is they are only in the incubator units for two to three years, just while they get themselves established.

"It may not even be companies that are planning on manufacturing food products - it could be companies involved in equipment manufacturing related to food."

Plans for the park were drawn up after Yorkshire Forward identified Bradford's food industry as a strong sector with a poor infrastructure - which meant companies had difficulty in remaining competitive.

As well as boosting the district's food industry, the park will also open up new job opportunities.

Work has been done to remove large areas of problem plants clogging up the site.

"Hopefully this time next year the first tenants will be moving in," said Mr Partridge.

Companies interested in renting a unit will be expected to present a brief of their plans to the Council and CDP.

e-mail: rebecca.wright@bradford.newsquest.co.uk