OUTLINE plans have been lodged to build a around 120,000 sq ft industrial development on a remaining section of a former water treatment works site on the edge of Bradford.

Keyland Developments, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister company to Yorkshire Water, aims to regenerate the redundant site.

It sold a large part of the site to developer Opus North in 2019, with the firm currently on site creating an industrial park, which will be called Interchange 26.

Overall, the two phases will result in a commercial development of just over 500,000 sq ft of industrial and employment space, which could deliver some 700 new jobs for the region.

The site, which is allocated in the Kirklees Local Plan for industrial development, is located in a strategic position at the intersection of the M62 and M606 motorways, on the edge of Bradford.

The company said the proposals, which have been submitted to Kirklees Council planners for consideration, reflect its commitments to bring forward the former Yorkshire Water treatment works site and regenerate redundant brownfield land.

Matthew Turnbull, planning and development manager at Keyland Developments, said; “The Phase 2 proposals at the North Bierley site will make a significant contribution in providing new industrial accommodation and employment opportunities in a region that is currently experiencing severe land shortages.

"The delivery of this major employment scheme will also help to support local businesses, facilitate job creation and help West Yorkshire recover from the economic effects of the pandemic.

"This development makes best use of previously developed and allocated land, which is crucial to the long-term success of the region.”

The move comes as the developer behind the Interchange 26 development has applied to build one large bespoke industrial warehouse with office space on the eastern section of the site.

Redevelopment of the 57-acre former North Bierley water treatment works was agreed when outline plans were passed in 2018. Further detailed proposals were approved in 2020.

Developer Opus North began the first phase of works - an access road and earth works - after buying the site from Keyland Developments.

Earlier this year, it submitted plans for two warehouses on the western part of the site.

It also sold a section of the site to Tungsten Properties in June last year, who has received approval for a logistics warehouse on a southern section of the site.

The firm also wants to alter a condition around the proportion of different business uses for the warehouses across the site.

This is due to strong demand for storage facilities over other types of industrial use, it has said.