AN application to completely transform a Keighley site, in the hope of attracting new business to the town, has been submitted.

Proposals to create new, more up to date commercial development on the Aire Valley Business Centre on Lawkholme Lane were first announced in 2019.

And now a full planning application for the site has been submitted to Bradford Council, and highlights the scale of the proposals. It says the work will “contribute to the comprehensive regeneration of Keighley.”

The site is the former home of Peter Blacks - one of the town’s biggest employers.

But new owners Firloch say that many of the units on the site are “dated” and not attractive to modern businesses.

An application to demolish large swathes of the site was approved earlier this year, and demolition work began in March. The Airedale Mill building, one of the oldest on the site, will be retained.

Around 34 modern and “energy efficient” buildings would be created on the site, along with parking for 285 cars.

New business park planned for Keighley town centre

Although the number of jobs created on the site will depend on the eventual tenants of these buildings, the application says the scheme could bring around 250 jobs to the area. Currently there are 40 full time employees and 30 part time employees working at the Business Centre.

The application says: “It is evident from the ad hoc nature of the site’s development that the site has evolved over time. The result has been an inefficient layout and aged buildings and therefore the objective of the application is to replace tired warehousing with new fit for purpose commercial and warehousing space which will attract new businesses to the site. We are seeking to redevelop the site in a flexible manner to accommodate a variety of employment uses and make the site more attractive to the market.

“The redevelopment of the site conforms with the Council’s overarching strategic vision for the area and will also help to contribute to the comprehensive regeneration of Keighley.

“The new buildings will total in the region of 7,432 sqm plus the existing Airedale Mill totalling 3,800 sqm. The site will therefore provide c. 11,232sqm of employment space. The redevelopment of the site will generate new employment opportunities for the local area and wider district including jobs in the digital, design and knowledge and service sectors.”

A decision on the application is expected in July.

Last month plans for the development of another Keighley town centre business park - at Dalton Lane, were submitted.

That site would include office space, 20 business units and a cafe. A decision on that application is expected next month.