A NEW Co-op is taking shape on a long-empty piece of land and is due to open later this year.

Building work is underway on a parcel of land in Bailiff Bridge - close to the former site of Clifton Mills at the junction of Bradford Road and Birkby Lane.

The site has been vacant for several years, but signs of activity can now be seen on the land as the development takes shape.

A Co-op spokesperson could not confirm an exact date for the store’s opening but said the plan is for it to open its doors later in 2024.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

They added: “The store will be designed to serve and support the community, conveniently, and include a focus on fresh, healthy products; meal ideas, everyday essentials, food-to-go, chilled beers and award-winning wines, ready meals, pizzas, Fairtrade products and, free-from, vegan and plant-based products.

“Co-op’s aim is to operate at the heart of local life, and it will work to develop the range, choice, and added services to create a really compelling offer, conveniently.

“This includes a focus on delivering member value so that the people who own our business, Co-op's member-owners, benefit every time they shop.

“In January, Co-op launched a significant new round of member prices within its food business which saw a further 117 everyday low prices including, for the first time, branded goods.

“This followed the biggest-ever investment in convenience pricing last year, where member prices were introduced on 175 everyday essential products.”

The spokesperson said people can find out about the benefits of Co-op Membership by visiting the Co-op website.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Work underway on the store Work underway on the store (Image: Newsquest)

Planning permission for the store was granted in May 2022.

A report from a planning inspector said: “The application site is a vacant parcel of land situated in a suburban area close to the main crossroads at Bailiff Bridge.

“To the north of the site is the Branxholme Industrial Estate whilst to the east is a modern housing development.

“The former St Aidan’s church, a Grade II-listed building, lies immediately to the west of the application site, beyond which is the A641 Bradford Road.”

The planning officer added: “There are no existing dwellings in close proximity to the application site, however, it is anticipated that dwellings will be constructed immediately to the south on the rest of the allocated mixed-use site where there is an extant permission for residential development.

“The proposal and its layout are not considered likely to result in conditions which would be harmful to residential amenity.

“The proposed retail unit will be positioned to the north of the adjacent housing development and as such will not result in any overshadowing of windows or private amenity space.”