A BUSINESS which staged a public consultation into its proposals to develop a dairy has now submitted a formal planning application to Bradford Council.

Dales Dairies wants to create new jobs by developing a major new facility at the vacant, 11,000-square-metre Aireworth Distribution Centre, off Aireworth Road, Stockbridge, Keighley.

If approved the premises would house a dairy processing, packaging and distribution operation on the site between Garforth Road and Marland Road.

The initial plans were broadly welcomed by Keighley councillors when revealed to the public at the consultation in February this year.

A design statement submitted as part of the planning application explains that Dales Dairies, based in Grassington, has outgrown its existing base and needs a new home in order to continue expanding.

It notes that the dairy is asking for permission to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week at this site, in order to safeguard the business’s long term investment and expansion plans.

The proposals are now being considered by Bradford Council planning officers.