Work has begun to fulfil the vision set out in the far-reaching Airedale Masterplan and, reports HELEN MEAD, the next 15 years will see changes that will benefit its different communities.

A white board runs floor-to-ceiling in Andy Taylor's office. It is full, with headings and sub-headings, peppered with buzz words like 'priority' and 'projects.' Heis clearly a busy man, and his office, on Keighley's North Street, is clearly the hub of something big, something important.

The ground floor premises form the base of the Airedale Masterplan - the document that serves as a blueprint for the area's regeneration for the next 15 years, and as the project's regeneration manager, Mr Taylor is, literally, at the sharp end.

Launched in March, the masterplan aims to raise the profile of the corridor straddling the River Aire between Bradford and Wharfedale and transform it into a world leader in digital communications and an international centre for hi-tech industries, while maintaining the natural beauty and rural feel that comes hand-in-hand with its desirability as a place to live.

Eight months on, the ball is well and truly rolling, with proposals being lifted off the page and brought to life - albeit steadily. Said Mr Taylor: "Things are just beginning to move now. It is a large job, running up to the year 2020, and things will not happen overnight."

The plan was commissioned by the private sector-led Airedale Partnership, with £475,000 of funding from the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

It was developed by consultants Arup.

The main focus is being placed on five areas: The refurbishment of Keighley Station, an important gateway to the town for both business and tourism, and one that also lies adjacent to the site which is to be the new home of Keighley College.

The development of the existing Keighley College site with a suggested mixture of commercial, residential and leisure use, including a large hotel.

Bingley Technology Business Park, with plans to raise the quality and provision of high-quality office space at the centre of Airedale on the former auction mart and Coolgardie Farm at Bingley. The aim is that the park will draw upon the existing experience of the surrounding firms in all areas of industry.

The Advanced Digital Institute, a project which works with local investors in the digital sector to cultivate new ideas and products, and with larger firms who may have developed ideas and technology that could be used by smaller companies.

The Shipley eastern link road highway scheme which will improve the route between Otley Road and Canal Road, making access between Shipley Station and the town centre easier. Said Mr Taylor: "Shipley Station is well connected to towns and cities across the north - but not to its own town centre."

In the short period since the masterplan was launched there has been a surge of interest in the valley, particularly from developers and investors, not only from West Yorkshire but further afield. Said Mr Taylor: "It has really raised the profile of Airedale - it has been great in that sense. We have had enquiries from across the North West - Manchester and Cheshire, and Northern Ireland."

Talks are under way with the land owner about the proposed business park. Said Mr Taylor: "We have been having very positive discussions with Parkmount Estates who own the site and who are keen to work with us and take things forward."

Details of progress with the Shipley-based Advanced Digital Institute project - including the appointment of a chief executive - will be unveiled at a press launch later this month.

"It is hoped that spin-off companies will develop from this, " said Mr Taylor. "Larger firms such as Pace and Filtronic may have ideas and technologies that are not core to their process of manufacturing, but that they still use and can develop, and make links with smaller companies to help them."

In Shipley, the idea for the link road scheme is in its early stages, with Bradford Council carrying out initial feasibility studies and, says Mr Taylor, "things are moving with the Keighley College site."

Against the backdrop of the five focus points is the need to protect and enhance Airedale's rural landscape and to improve connections between the countryside and towns. Said Mr Taylor: "Arup said that even though the focus is on Keighley, Bingley and Shipley, these towns have a rural backdrop and people who live and work here want to do so in a pleasant environment."

He said that a whole range of agencies, including British Waterways, Yorkshire Water and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, were presently working in an environmental capacity within the area. "We are looking at how we can connect. There is a lot of good work going on and the masterplan will provide a framework within which to place that activity."

To this end, a workshop is planned next month at Bradford & Bingley Sports Club, involving around 70 organisations. Said Robert Brough, brokerage and network coordinator for the masterplan: "At the moment there are range of organisations, involved public, private and voluntary. We will be talking about how we can work together and jointly focus on our needs. This is the easiest way of going forward - with everybody under one roof."

It is hoped that as part of the rural vision, old bridleways and lesser-known routes between town and country could be revived as part of a bid to get people out and about on foot within the area.

Meetings are also being held with key stakeholders including Metro, primary care trusts and the Environment Agency.

As Mr Taylor stressed, the plans for Airedale will not be realised overnight - but things are happening towards that 2020 vision. "It is a very good location for people to commute to Leeds and Bradford, but it needs to be more than that. It needs to be a place where people live and work."

Adds Mr Brough: "When we first appointed the consultants a few of us went on a cycle ride from Shipley Station to Silsden, along the canal. You look at the valley in a whole different light and get a real feel for it."

An update on work carried out so far will be presented to Bradford Council's executive committee in November. Adds Mr Taylor: "We are very pleased with the progress that has been made so far."

For more information about the Airedale Masterplan ring 01535 618095 or visit the website www.airedalepartnership.org