A row of dilapidated buildings could be pulled down as part of a scheme to create a much-needed car park in Bingley town centre.

And it is hoped the car park will boost shops trying to attract more customers to the area and relieve pressure on other congested car parks in the town.

Shipley MP Chris Leslie told the Telegraph & Argus: "I hope it will help shops to come alive again in the knowledge that something is being done."

Bradford and Bingley Building Society has applied for planning permission to demolish empty shops, between the Old Queen's Head pub and the former Woolworth's site in Main Street.

The society has submitted two separate applications to Bradford Council, both for partial demolition and clearance of the site. One is for permission to use the land as a temporary, short stay car park and the other is for redevelopment of the site for retail use, including food and convenience stores.

A spokesman for the Bradford and Bingley said it had no immediate plans to redevelop the site but would consider its long-term future at a later date.

It is planning to lease the land to the Council, probably for four years, to provide parking for more than 50 cars. The site was the most popular option for a new car park in a survey carried out by Bradford Council earlier this year.

New spaces are needed to replace those being lost when a residential parking scheme comes into effect.

MP Chris Leslie added: "Hopefully, once approval comes through, clearance of the site will begin and it will move on fairly swiftly.

"Part of the problem in Bingley is the existence of a north/south split. There is quite good provision in the Myrtle Walk area, but the provision is not as good in the north end, which is in need of regeneration.

"If we could attract more customers to the shops and provide the infrastructure needed then we could stop the spiral of decline. It would also help to relieve the pressure in Busfield Street and Queen Street car park and bring about an improvement in the balance of car parking provision in the town.

But some members of Bingley Civic Trust, which opposed parking on the Jubilee Gardens site in front of Bingley Arts Centre, have voiced concerns about the old Woolworth's site. They say the exit and entrance to the car park will be dangerous for motorists because it is off busy Main Street.

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