A 72-bedroom hotel is to be built in Bradford on the site of a successful business park development.

Surrey-based developers Atrium Hotels Ltd have signed up for a one-acre plot called Parkside Court off Rooley Lane, opposite the headquarters of the Yorkshire Building Society.

The firm, which has its head office in Dorking, is now in talks with three hotel operating firms about taking over the new premises.

Building work will start once a deal has been finalised with a view to the new hotel being open by September or October. Today Atrium director Brian Parkinson said his firm was confident there was sufficient demand for a new hotel in Bradford. There is already a 127-bedroom Novotel on the Euroway Industrial Estate off the M606 and another 131 rooms at the four-star Hanover International on Mayo Avenue at the top of the M606.

Mr Parkinson said the new hotel would target business people on short stays in the city.

"We are not particularly after trade for Bradford city centre, but rather focusing on the needs of people wanting to visit places and businesses in the M62 and M606 corridors," he said.

"These may be people who need overnight business accommodation in Bradford, but do not necessarily want to venture into the city centre. They will have everything they need on their doorstep.

"We have already got several developments along the M62 corridor, although none in the Bradford district, and we believe that there is still a growing demand for hotel accommodation in this area."

The hotel will be the final part of the development of the

site, which also includes offices and a Brewsters pub.

The offices were sold to Carpet International in July, creating 200 jobs.

Richard Morton, director of Landmark Developments which led the project, said Atrium's signing was the final part of the jigsaw.

"We are very pleased with the success of the development, which has been completed and fully let," he said.

A Holiday Inn Express hotel, similar to that envisaged by Mr Parkinson for the Rooley Lane site, has recently been completed at the Leisure Exchange in Bradford city centre. The opening date has now been put back to Monday, February 3.