PLANS for chemical treatment work to take place in a unit at a Baildon business park are set to be approved by councillors.

Produmax, a precision engineering firm, has applied for planning permission to use nitric acid and sulphuric acid to treat materials at its site on the Sapper Jordan Rossi Park on Otley Road.

The firm, which moved to the business park in 2015, said the plans will create 20 new jobs at the site increasing its workforce from 58 to 78.

Councillors due to sit on the Regulatory and Appeals Committee on Thursday have been invited to approve planning permission.

But neighbouring companies have objected to the scheme, saying they have concerns about air quality and health and safety.

The application includes plans to store chemicals as well as treating metals for use in the aerospace industry.

GSM Aluminium, which is based in a nearby unit, objected to the plans and said they are worried that the processes will have an impact on staff, stock and their building.

Gerald Misbert, managing director at GSM, said: “It is disappointing to hear that Bradford planning officers have voted to recommend that this application be granted.

“Granting use for chemicals on the site risks setting a precedent for the future, attracting heavier, potentially polluting industries to the area.

“The current occupants on the site moved to Sapper Jordan Rossi for the reason, that this was a clean, attractive, high-tech site and not a general industrial park.”

But the Council’s environmental health service and the Environment Agency have not raised any objections to the plans.

Produmax was approached for a comment.

The purpose of the application is for unit 3A on the park to be used for the chemical treatment of parts produced by the company in a neighbouring unit.

A number of residents also submitted letters in support of the plans and praising the company for creating more jobs in the area.

But councillors have been asked to attach conditions to the scheme. The unit would only be used for treating, finishing and dispatching Produmax products.

The site could not be used for any other types of chemical treatment and the company should only store a limited quantity of the substances.

No further industrial work should take place at the site without permission from the Local Planning Authority and no materials or containers should be stored outside the building.

CCTV is also set to be installed around the unit and lighting will be fitted to reduce the likelihood of crime, but it will be designed so it is not intrusive to nearby residents.

And there would be no deliveries between 10pm and 7am.

Other businesses including yarn manufacturer Laxtons, Anetic Aid, West Yorkshire Glazing and John Ayrey Die Casts are based at the 13-acre site, which was formerly known as the Baildon Business Park.