A NEW developer is resurrecting Keighley’s multi-million pound Worth Valley Shopping Centre scheme.

According to a senior councillor, the currently-derelict prime East Parade site is being actively promoted to potential tenants.

The breakthrough news comes just days ahead of a major regeneration meeting in the town, when progress on several projects – including the controversial former college buildings – will be debated.

It is understood a crack team of Bradford Council officers has already met with the developer, UAI, which has a massive portfolio of mixed-use, community-focussed schemes – including shopping centres, homes, a brewery and visitor centre.

The five-acre East Parade plot was previously owned by Stainsby Grange, which spent several years buying land and preparing it for construction but couldn't sign-up enough major retailers to make the £30 million shopping centre, restaurant and cinema complex financially viable.

Keighley West councillor Adrian Farley, the council's regeneration boss, said: "Ownership has now changed to a London-based developer with significant interest in London, Manchester and Leeds.

"A Bradford Council officer team is in place to provide support around economic development, planning and transport and this assistance continues.

"The new owners are due to meet again before Christmas.

"Given that it is not a council project, there is little hold we have as a council to compel them to deliver."

A fellow senior councillor, Andrew Mallinson, says all possible support must be given to the developer.

And he has demanded that Bradford Council ensures vital infrastructure like roads and power supplies are in place so that construction can go ahead as quickly as possible.

He will push for answers on key questions when the issue is discussed by the council's regeneration and economy scrutiny committee, meeting in Keighley on Wednesday (Nov 30).

Cllr Mallinson said it was essential that ambitious plans to tackle Keighley's traffic congestion – currently being drawn-up by council officers – 'dovetailed' with shopping centre proposals.

He added: "I'm convinced the council can do a lot more to bring this project forward in a timely manner than it did with other regeneration projects in Keighley.

"We can't have another shambolic consultation like we had for the mini-gyratory road, which fell apart."

Keighley Central councillor Abid Hussain said he was delighted to hear the owners of the East Parade site were seeking tenants.

He added: "It's good that the council is involved. The council should work with them as much as possible."

Next week's meeting will also debate transportation, markets and Keighley Business Improvement District (BID).

"It is important to know what the council is doing to support jobs and regeneration," said Cllr Farley.

"Keighley is a proud town and one of the largest towns within the district.

"Sadly, the district council has had significant cuts forced upon it over the last six years and the future in terms of what the council can or cannot do remains unclear."

Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, confirmed the development company was UAI.

He said: “My understanding is that the development will be a shopping centre and UAI have significant retail development experience.

“The council has a team of officers from economic development, transport and planning who will assist UAI through the process wherever necessary and have had meetings with the new owners already.”

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said: “I know it can be difficult for the council to progress a project when the site is owned by a third party but, at the very least, I would expect regular discussions to be held at leadership level with the owners.

“There is little or no evidence of this which is alarming and I would suggest that a meeting should be set up as a matter of urgency given the importance of the scheme to Keighley.

“I also look forward to a full update on the other Keighley projects, some of which appear not to be attracting the level of attention I believe they would receive were they in Bradford.”