Keighley: Plans move forward for new industrial estate

The council-owned site is adjacent to the Hard Ings roundabout in Keighley

Plans are moving forward for a new multi-million pound industrial estate in Keighley.

The potential development of an eight-acre site, known as Beechcliffe, would be paid for by a £6m investment from the government's Towns Fund.

The land is owned by Bradford Council and located near the Hard Ings roundabout and the A629.

Liz Barker, acting chair of Keighley Towns Fund, said the development could "bring a significant economic boost".

A Bradford Council spokesperson said £14m from the £33.6m Towns Fund pot for Keighley had been allocated to transform derelict buildings or empty sites, with £6m linked to the Beechcliffe project.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "This is an incredible opportunity to develop a redundant brownfield site which has been allocated for employment use for more than 30 years.

"The town needs more modern industrial accommodation to meet demand and this scheme will go some way to addressing that."

The first phase of the development will be a full site survey, beginning next week.

A footpath and cycle route linking Royd Ings with Utley will be closed while the work is undertaken, the council spokesperson said.