DETAILED plans for a major new business park on a former Keighley College site could be unveiled within weeks.

Hundreds of jobs could be created on twin sites off Dalton Lane thanks to a deal struck between Bradford Council and Ilkley company Turner Developments.

The adjoining parcels of land, which lie behind Keighley Fire Station, have been transformed into one eight-acre super-site to help meet demand from firms eager to expand or move to Keighley.

News of progress on the long-awaited project was this week welcomed by local politicians.

Turner Developments has achieved great success with similar multi-million pound schemes in recent years, filling a succession of business units on the former Magnet Joinery site at Royd Ings.

It was first revealed in January 2016 that Turner proposed manufacturing and warehouse to build industrial and commercial units on the site.

The company bought the Chatsworth Works site, originally home to West Yorkshire Spinners, after the previous owner scrapped a proposal to build a £30 million business, leisure and housing complex.

Meanwhile, Bradford Council held ownership of the adjacent Harold Town site, accessible from Dalton Lane via Chesham Street, which used to house Keighley College’s trades courses.

In December 2016 the council revealed it had signed a development agreement with Turner’s sister company Blue Ice Developments to develop the two sites as one package, creating up to 260 jobs.

Last month an update on the project was highlighted to Bradford councillors at the Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

A report by council officers revealed that the council had sold the Harold Town site to a developer – unamed in the report – that had already purchased adjacent land.

The report added: “It is anticipated that a major planning application will be forthcoming in early 2018 to bring forward this large site.”

Turner Development were unavailable for comment as we went to press.

District councillor Adrian Farley, chairman of the regeneration committee, this week welcomed the plan because it would create jobs and investment in Keighley.

He said: “I’m passionate about promoting Keighley in Bradford district. Unemployment is a real problem within the Keighley area and businesses are important to the town.”

Keighley MP John Grogan this week said it was “truly good news” that planning permission was imminent for such an important site.

He said: “The most frequent complaint I get from successful businesses in Keighley is lack of available units for expansion.”

District councillor Khadim Hussain, whose Keighley Central Ward includes the site, said his consultations with local businesses and highlighted a “huge shortage” of development land in Keighley.

Keighley Central councillor Zafar Ali was less positive about the project, although he agreed that more businesses and jobs were needed in Keighley.

He said: “At one time there was going to be housing on that site. It would have enhanced the area. I think residents living nearby were very pleased about that.

“I don’t know how they’ll react to this business development – it’s a densely-populated area. The residents should not bear the brunt of noise and people coming in. The developers should concentrate with individual residents.”