MORRISONS have got the go-ahead for a new convenience store on the site of Baildon's controversial new £15m technology park and building could start in September.

Bradford planners have now given permission for the single storey 3,000 sq ft store with 15 car parking spaces which will also create new jobs.

The store will be located on Otley Road at the entrance to the park and its imminent arrival has been greeted with general approval by residents, say local councillors.

However, its modern design is aimed to tie in with the existing industrial units, which some critics have dubbed "the Sheds."

Details in the plans state: "The form and mass of the proposed retail building is expressed in a contemporary way.

"Taking its cue from the stripes of the industrial units within the technology park, the retail unit features stripes, but with a horizontal emphasis.

"The building materials include brickwork at ground floor level with perforated semi-transparent mesh metal cladding panels at first floor level."

Ward Councillor Debbie Davies carried out a local survey by sending 200 letters to residents in the Charlestown area and said the response had been overwhelmingly positive.

"Having consulted with people in that part of Baildon, everyone seems to welcome it as there aren't any shops nearby.

"We sent out 200 letters and didn't get a single negative response.

"It's good that it's Morrisons, a local firm - and the building will hopefully be aesthetically pleasing as well as serving a useful purpose," Cllr Davies said.

Baildon Town Councillor Peter Ashton heads its planning committee and said while disappointed with the look of the technology park as a whole, the council had not opposed the new shop.

"We felt it was as if the horse had already bolted with the Baildon Business Park as we were promised a hi-tech park with hi-tech buildings and were disappointed with how it turned out.

"However, we did feel there wasn't any other sort of similar outlet at that end of town," Cllr Ashton said.

Mark Taylforth from the park's developers Pendle Russells said: "The new store will be a great addition to the business park and will provide a number of new jobs for the local area, which is one of our main aims."