Demands are being made for council bosses to “come clean” over a prime town centre site.

Bradford Council confirmed this week interest has finally been shown in the old Keighley College buildings by a potential buyer.

But it refused to expand on the plan, other than it would be for “mixed-use development”.

There are fears the site – which has been empty since the college relocated in 2010 – could become “another Westfield”, like the long-stalled shopping development in the centre of Bradford.

Among those pressing for action at the eyesore derelict complex – at the junction of North Street and Cavendish Street – is Keighley Area Committee member Andrew Mallinson (Con, Craven).

He said the authority, which owns the site and is marketing it, needs to be more transparent about the bid.

He said: “I know there’s an issue of commercial sensitivity, but if the council was more open about interest in the site and proposals, that in turn would generate further interest.

“Something has got to be done with the site.”

Keighley Central Councillor, and Lord Mayor of Bradford, Khadim Hussain welcomed the interest in the complex. “We have got to develop that site because it is such an important location close to the town centre,” he said.

But Keighley MP Kris Hopkins also felt it would be helpful to know the identity of the proposed buyer.

And he said: “Public bodies are not, in my experience, particularly well qualified at playing the role of estate agent. I would therefore suggest Bradford Council seeks to engage a private sector company to market the building and concentrates its own energies on delivering local services.”

Paul North, the council’s Airedale Masterplan manager, said it was considering “an interest” in the Cavendish Street building.

“The company concerned has been given a period of time to advance its proposal,” he said.

“The interested party is considering a mixed use. There is no planning application yet.”

He said there would be a chance for debate when there is a proposal submitted.