MULTI-million pound plans have been unveiled for one of Keighley’s biggest-ever commercial developments which would create hundreds of jobs.

The sprawling scheme is earmarked for a 26-acre-plus partial-greenbelt site between the River Aire and the A629 trunk road.

At least eight large units would be built on the prime plot, to the north-west of Keighley Industrial Park, off Royd Ings Avenue.

The town’s MP, Kris Hopkins, has welcomed initial proposals for the project – which would provide a whopping 470,000 square feet of industrial and commercial floorspace. He said: “I am always very interested in schemes that lead to significant investment and new jobs in Keighley. I look forward to receiving more details about the plans.”

The preliminary proposals will go on view to the public at a consultation session next week, ahead of a formal planning application being submitted to Bradford Council.

Agent Mike Ainsworth said the venture would help address a desperate requirement for more commercial units of different sizes in the town. He said: “Keighley only has a limited amount of commercial space available and we want to meet the need for more. The units would be designed to best fit the shape of the site, so it’s likely they’d look very similar to the scheme already illustrated. At this stage there’s no particular company confirmed as due to occupy the land. Permission for the development would need to come first.”

The firm seeking to build at the site is PH Holdings. In addition to the units, there would be parking for heavy goods vehicles and a new access road extending north from an existing turning circle.

Mr Ainsworth – of Michael Ainsworth Design Partnership – is urging people to attend the consultation, at Temple Chambers, Russell Street, Keighley, on Wednesday, from 10am to 3pm.

“A representative will be available to discuss the plans with members of the public,” he said.

“No planning application has been made at this stage – hence the public consultation, which is part of the major development planning process.”

Bradford councillors representing Keighley Central also welcomed the development. Cllr Zafar Ali said: “It’s barren land – an eyesore – and I have no objection if dead space is utilised for commercial industry.”

Cllr Khadim Hussain said: “When I hosted a business strategy conference in Keighley last year, a lot of people cried out for room for expansion. This is the answer.”

Cllr Abid Hussain said he would be delighted to see any development in his ward that brings jobs to Keighley.

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