The district’s economy will suffer if plans for a huge business park are unsuccessful, according to a report commissioned by Bradford Council.

Detailed plans have now been submitted by the Council to turn green space in Buck Lane, off Otley Road, Baildon, into a hi-tech business park.

The business park is expected to cost about £25 million and create 723 jobs.

There will also be offices, a business centre, a hotel, a restaurant and shops on the site, next to the River Aire.

A report by consultants Dacres Commercial, which forms part of the planning application, reads: “It is possible with significant investment to assemble sites in other key regeneration areas but this is likely to be both a lengthy and costly process.

“If this (Buck Lane) site development is not realised in the short-term then the supply of development plots for high-tech business will be very severely restricted to the considerable detriment of the district’s economy.”

The Council revealed the plans in July and a planning application for the development was submitted last month alongside a separate application to prepare the site, including an access road.

Residents have reacted with dismay that the Council is seeking to build on a greenfield site.

Councillor Dave Green, the Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said the park would be partially used by new firms grown out of research from Bradford University and the Leeds universities. “Buck Lane will be built with the needs of hi-tech industries in mind,” he said.

A neighbourhood meeting will be held to discuss the proposed development at St James’s Church, Otley Road, on Thursday, October 7, at 7pm.

Bradford Council’s senior project development officer Dave Partridge will give a presentation.

e-mail: marc.meneaud@telegraphandargus.co.uk