Shipley MP Philip Davies has blasted developers who claimed he backed their supermarket proposal for the Crossley Evans scrapyard site.

GMI Developments Ltd has put in plans to Bradford Council for an 80,000 sq ft store beside the railway at Otley Road, Shipley.

Up to 350 new jobs would be created by the superstore with its separate café, a 12-pump petrol station and 364 covered car parking spaces, say GMI.

But Mr Davies has written to the company and the Council to complain he has been misrepresented in the application, which says he “offered his support to the proposals”.

“It is an absolute outrage,” Mr Davies said. “I did not say, in any shape of form, that I welcomed the plan or offered them support. I am vehemently opposed to this development and I don’t take kindly to people in Shipley being led to think otherwise.”

In the letter to Bradford Council chief executive Tony Reeves and to the developers, Mr Davies explained his displeasure: “A constituent contacted me regarding the planning application suggesting I supported it.

“Having enquired where she got this information from she cited the ‘Statement of Community Involvement’ which is among the documents listed on your planning website.

“I have enclosed a copy of the offending page which states that “Overall Mr Davies offered his support to the proposals and was welcoming of the potential investment in the town...”

“This is complete and utter fabrication and I request that you remove this document from your website immediately as it is totally misleading and inaccurate.”

A spokesman for the team behind GMI’s Crossley Evans site application said: “Our impression from our meeting with Mr Davies was that he was welcoming of potential investment to Shipley and we acknowledge that he raised specific concerns which he has set out in his recent letter and which are referenced in our Statement of Community Consultation.

“We are sorry he feels unable to support the scheme and we will amend our document to reflect this.”

Chris Eaton, Bradford Council’s development services manager, said: “Mr Davies’ objection and comments will be taken into consideration by the Council along with any other views that are submitted to us.”