PLANS for a business park in an industrial heartland have been hailed a “New Year tonic” for a town’s economy.

MP John Grogan said the two 20,000 square-foot units proposed for former Keighley College land were sorely needed by local companies hoping to expand or modernise.

Ilkley company Turner Developments has submitted a planning application for two adjoining buildings on the 6.5-acre Harold Town site between Dalton Lane and Keighley Fire Station.

Managing director James Turner believes the units will be snapped up by space-hungry businesses before the estimated completion date of next autumn.

The plans were revealed as Bradford Council announced that the whole Dalton Lane area would be designated a Business Development Zone to boost jobs and investment.

There would be a second new Development Zone in Royd Ings, where Turner Developments has previously created two successful business parks on the site of the former Magnet Joinery.

Keighley MP Mr Grogan said he believed there would be plenty of demand for new units on the Harold Town brownfield site.

He said: “Every couple of months I meet with different Keighley businesses who complain there our no sites for them to expand on in the local area. Their growth is stifled or they have to consider moving out of the area.

“This development proposal is a welcome New Year tonic for Keighley’s economy.”

Mr Turner said that although his company had no customers yet lined up, there was strong local demand for such units.

He said: “They can be taken either singly or in combination. Our agent advises that this is what the market is looking for, and it’s certainly our experience with our previous projects in Keighley.

“We built 11 or 12 units in Royd Ings over two or three years, and they were either sold or let by the time we finished construction.”

Mr Turner said the new planning application covered only part of the 100,000-square-foot site. Adjoining ‘Worthington’ land formerly used by West Yorkshire Spinners will be developed if the first units are successful.

The latest proposals were devised after Turner’s previously initiative – for one local company to use the entire site to bring its entire operation together – fell through.

The latest planning application outlines two 19,500 ft² units side-by-side, with access from Chesham Street on the opposite side to terraced housing. The plans also call for a new electricity substation.

Bradford Council is teaming up with the Bradford Chamber of Commerce to develop new Business Development Zones boosting productivity and growth in Keighley, Shipley and Bradford.

District councillor Zafar Ali, whose Keighley Central ward includes the Harold Town site, said it was important that residents living in nearby streets were consulted on the plans.

He added: “I think people who live in the area need to be told, and their opinions taken on board before anything is decided.”