PLANS have been revealed to turn a former school site in Bradford that has been vacant for 14 years into a new supermarket.

Aldi has applied for permission to develop the cleared brownfield area off Leeds Old Road that was home to Thornbury Middle School until its demolition in 2003.

The German-based chain said the new store would bring competition to the “convenience market place”, as well as creating 30 new jobs.

In a letter to Bradford Council’s planning department, Harrogate-based Planning Potential Ltd, acting as agents in the deal, said: “The site is located in a sustainable and accessible location within the built fabric of Thornbury.

“The scale of food store proposed is designed to serve the localised catchment.

“The proposals represent a viable and deliverable opportunity to regenerate the site, which is an eyesore, detracting from the wider areas, socially, economically, and environmentally.

“Residents are currently restricted to the in-centre Morrisons and Iceland. The proposals will therefore introduce choice and competition into the convenience market place while providing a much-needed discount food store.

“The proposals will also bring significant investment into the local economy and deliver approximately 30 new job opportunities.”

Aldi’s plans stated that prior to the application being submitted, more than 1,400 letters outlining the project were delivered to homes and businesses in the Leeds Old Road area, as well as to ward councillors.

Of the 87 responses received, 84, or 97 per cent, were said to be in favour of the scheme, citing benefits such as the regeneration of derelict land and a new store “complementing rather than competing” with existing local businesses.

One resident said: “Competition in any market place is good for shoppers and the economy, and it is about time the waste land was put to use.”

The store will also have a new 91-space car park, including disabled and parent and toddler spaces, which Aldi states will be “unrestricted with the propensity to enable linked trips with the surrounding community facilities”.

In 2009, a planning application to construct a builder’s yard was refused by the Council as the land had been designated for housing, but the most recent application, for 30 houses, was disposed of despite being approved by the authority when it failed to agree terms with the developer.

Aldi’s planning statement supporting the current application claims that the disposal “brings into question the viability of housing on the site.”

An Aldi spokesman said: “Our proposed Thornbury store will bring more shopping choice to the area and create up to 30 jobs for local people, while delivering a significant boost to the local economy.

"Our stores across West Yorkshire have already proved to be very popular so we are hopeful of a positive outcome when this is determined by the Council, and we will continue to keep the community updated.” 

Bradford Council is set to make a decision on the plans by June 19.