Bradford-based supermarket group Morrisons has won a three-way battle to build a new supermarket in Shipley.

Bradford councillors today approved the company’s application, submitted in accordance with Skipton Properties, for a superstore, petrol station, business units and 101 houses off Crag Road.

The decision was made at a special two-day meeting of the Council’s regulatory and appeals committee but it is subject to conditions and Government ratification.

Two other applications by Cardinal Shop Fitters, based at Airedale Mills, and GMI, which wanted to redevelop the site occupied by recycling firm, Crossley Evans, were rejected by councillors.

The committee’s decision was greeted with cheers and applause by members of the public gathered in Shipley Library.

Afterwards, Brian Verity, managing director of Skipton Properties, said the scheme, called Shipley Exchange, was “the start of a new era for town”.