CONTROVERSIAL plans for a further industrial development on the edge of Bradford have now been passed after first being refused two months ago.

Approval has been granted to redevelop the remaining section of Yorkshire Water’s old North Bierley water treatment works, which sits between the M62 and M606 at Oakenshaw.

The northern section of the site is already being turned into the Interchange 26 industrial park, but the southern section had initially been held back from development.

The second phase includes a 130,000 sq ft industrial development, which combined with the phase one development approved in 2016, will deliver just over 500,000 sq ft of new industrial and employment space.

Keyland Developments, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister company to Yorkshire Water, is behind the outline plans.

It says that when combined the two phases have the potential to deliver around 700 new jobs for the region.

After securing planning consent for the first phase, Keyland’s regeneration ambitions for the site resulted in a successful land sale to Opus North, which is currently on site delivering the Interchange 26.

At the planning meeting where the application was finally approved, councillors voted 4 to 3 for the scheme.

This followed an amendment which removed “last mile parcel distribution” as a future use for any development on the site, which reduces the number of vehicles entering and exiting the site.

Those who voted against the scheme continued to express their concerns about the expected increase in traffic and what impact that would have on local roads.

It also emerged at the meeting that even with the development of the southern section there would still be enough land around it so that it would not stop future improvements at Chain Bar roundabout.

Matthew Turnbull, planning and development manager at Keyland Developments Ltd, said: “Securing planning permission for phase two at the North Bierley site is a major achievement.

"This site will make a significant contribution to addressing the major shortfall in employment land across West Yorkshire, which is particularly acute in the western districts where a lack of land allocations and challenging levels make it harder for local businesses to find the space we need.

“We are committed to making best use of the region’s brownfield resource to address local needs and this development will bring a number of economic advantages to the North Kirklees and South Bradford area.”