A KEY Shipley site could be transformed if plans for a new retail development are given the go-ahead.

A planning application for the Airedale Mills site on Salts Mill Road has been submitted to Bradford Council. The land was previously subject to a planning application from Sainsbury’s, which was refused by Bradford Council in 2013.

It was part of a fiercely competitive three-way contest to build a new supermarket in the town. Bradford-based Morrisons won the battle, but later confirmed it was pulling out of the scheme for commercial reasons.

Now Cardinal, a Bradford-based commercial interiors company, which in 2016 relocated its production facility from Airedale Mills to new premises in Battye Street, Laisterdyke, Bradford, following the Boxing Day floods in 2015, has announced new plans to redevelop the site.

The company requires further capital to diversify into new areas and is working with property developer Morbaine Limited to bring about the redevelopment of the Airedale Mills site.

The new development will have three units, either accommodating “food operators, mainline retailers or those selling bulky non-food items, together with a drive thru cafe”.

A new open plaza would be created, as well as a central walkway giving access to the River Aire.

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Cardinal managing director Tim Considine said: “There are new and growing markets closely aligned to our original core business, which we need to continue to expand into for the long-term health of Cardinal and the security of our workforce.

“This will require significant capital investment in new machinery, training and will create new skilled manufacturing employment opportunities.”

Morbaine’s Graham Adams added: “We have had dialogue with planning officers in working up our proposal and we are pleased to have been able to accommodate many of the points they have raised.

“These include opening up views through the site to the cricket ground, access to the riverside and the creation of a gateway frontage building. The development will meet the recognised need within the Local Plan for new retail development in Shipley and we have already been approached by retailers who are keen to be part of our scheme.”

He added the site could be operational by Easter 2020.