PLANS to build a Co-op mini-market on the site of Haworth’s old fire station are being supported by the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

But the volunteer-run railway has expressed concern about the proposed store’s location next to its engineering shed and car park.

The heritage line’s mixed feelings were revealed by chairman Dr Matt Stroh as the Co-op this month applied for a licence to sell alcohol from the premises.

The Co-operative Group Food Ltd has asked Bradford Council for permission to sell alcohol seven days a week from 6am to 11pm.

The request followed a formal application to the council last month for planning permission to demolish the fire station and build a convenience store in its place.

The site at the junction of Bridgehouse Lane and Station Road has been disused since 2014, when it was shut as part of controversial cost-cutting measures.

Despite protest rallies and a campaign to save the facility, the fire service said worse-than-expected Government funding cuts meant it did not have the money to help reopen the premises as a community-run safety hub.

The Co-op aims to bring the site back into use with a new store staffed by 25 full and part-time workers.

There would be 19 customer parking spaces and a cash machine.

As part of its application, the Co-op said a pedestrian route from Station Road to the rear of the building would lead to an area for train enthusiasts, residents and tourists to enjoy views of the trains. The company revealed that its agent, Dalehead Properties, was negotiating with the railway about the proposal.

Dr Stroh has commented on the council’s planning website about the Co-op’s plans.

He pledged the railway’s support “in principle” for the mini-market plans, but expressed concerns whether the proposed road access would be adequate.

He said: “We are worried that if shop customers find it difficult to access the site from the entrance that they may park in our car park and use the proposed pedestrian access point to our land.

“Similarly, we are concerned that our car park might become a pedestrian thoroughfare from the Butt Lane and Mill Hey areas.

“We are unlikely to support the reopening of the access point unless a means of managing flows of people across our operational land is implemented.”

Dr Stroh was also concerned that the proposed railway viewing area might encourage an “unmanaged flow” of pedestrians through the station car park.

He added: “We would welcome a building design that is sympathetic to the heritage of the area.”