Bradford & Bingley’s iconic former headquarters will face the wrecking ball in a major demolition project clearing the way for a multi-million pound Sainsbury’s supermarket.

The chain was yesterday granted planning permission to build a two-storey store with underground car parking in Main Street after buying the building last year.

At a planning meeting in City Hall, Bradford, Shipley Area Planning Panel voted unanimously to grant permission for the 1970s-built offices to be knocked down and the 40,000 sq ft store built in its place.

Bingley business leaders welcomed the move, which will create 250 jobs and boost the town’s economy.

Howard Martin, vice-chairman of Bingley Chamber of Trade and Commerce, told the meeting: “Our members are overwhelmingly in support of this application.

“A huge number of local residents undertake their main shopping by travelling to Shipley or Keighley, or even farther afield. A supermarket, based in Bingley, will allow these people to shop locally, increasing the footfall in the town centre and allow the other businesses to benefit.”

More than 1,000 people commented on the plans in consultations, with many in favour of the new supermarket.

However, objectors claimed the development would cause traffic problems, said the 291 car parking spaces at the store were not enough and the demolition work would mean the loss of mature trees.

Sue Smales, for Sainsbury’s, said there had been discussions with Council officers to iron out the problems.

Councillor Keith Dredge (Lab, Keighley West) said he was concerned shoppers would bypass Bingley because of a lack of car parking. He said: “It is going to trickle down to other businesses in the centre of Bingley – people are going to use Keighley.”

His colleague Councillor Valerie Binney (Con, Thornton and Allerton) agreed. She said: “There has been a car parking problem in Bingley from the word go.”

However, panel chairman Shabir Hussain said: “We have to look at the 250 jobs. That building is going to come down and there is going to be something there for people to look forward to. We have got to look positively towards the future.”