Highly significant year

On the face of it, grand schemes put forward in the far-reaching Airedale Masterplan - a blueprint for the area's regeneration - seem a long way from leaping off the drawing board.

But behind the scenes, there have been "positive developments" which have brought the Masterplan's five priority projects closer to reality.

The ambitious projects, which will form a catalyst for major change across Airedale, involve the creation of a technology park in Bingley and a new hotel in Keighley combined with restoration of the town's railway station. An Advanced Digital Institute and a new link road are proposed in Shipley.

"It's still early days, but we have got momentum on our side in terms of the Masterplan, " said project manager Andy Taylor, from the private-sector-led Airedale Partnership.

"There have been some major announcements on the five priority projects and there are more to come very soon, " he added.

The Masterplan was launched by consultants Arup in March then officially adopted by Bradford Council in November.

The vision of setting up an Advanced Digital Institute (ADI) in Shipley was boosted by the appointment of a chief executive this month.

Digital technology expert Ged Powell jetted in from California to take charge of the project and has been discussing funding with regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Mr Powell said: "The ADI is probably the most advanced of the five principle projects.

"We are asking Yorkshire Forward for somewhere in the region of £2 million over a five year period.

"We are looking for interim premises in the Shipley or Saltaire area because our team will grow from two at the moment to 45 in the next four years.

Recruitment is crucial because we want to bring some talented people to the area.

"At the end of the five years, we want to have a vibrant self-funding development centre, developing companies and talent and retaining graduates in the area."

Mr Powell has held discussions with local business bosses to see which companies are interested in being part of the ADI.

"We've had extremely positive feedback from major companies who are anxious to be involved once we make solid proposals, " said Mr Powell.

There have also been positive developments in Bingley where Coolgardie Farm - the proposed site for the town's Technology Business Park - has now been put up for sale by its owner.

The site has already attracted widespread interest from developers and bids will be finalised in February 2006. The business park will provide high-quality office space.

Arup's project director Mike Osbourne said: "This scheme could happen quite quickly now the site is available.

"There is clearly business potential in that area. The site is well connected because it's close to Crossflatts station and it can link into Bingley Grammar School, which is a great source of new graduates.

"Any business park that makes the most of that will be successful. Bingley has the chance to be a great destination for high quality design and service sector businesses."

The advanced digital institute and the technology business spark are designed to make Airedale a leader in digital communications and an international centre for high-tech industry.

Plans to alleviate traffic problems in Shipley are also moving forward, although Government funding could still present a major obstacle.

The Masterplan proposes a link road from Otley Road, Baildon through to Leeds Road and on to Canal Road.

Mr Taylor said: "Shipley's proposed Eastern Link Road has been included as a major scheme in the draft local transport plan, where West Yorkshire has to bid for funding from central Government."

The road would have the added benefit of unlocking employment land around Dockfield Road, which is unable to be developed to its full potential because of the weight of through traffic.

But the Masterplan has not proved popular with town centre traders in Shipley where a 2,000-name petition has been raised in opposition to some of the proposals.

Market stall holders are angry at plans to remove the buses from the market square, rip out the fixed market stalls and replace the Indoor Market Hall with a new building on half of the existing market square.

Mr Taylor said: "We recognise the strength of feeling in Shipley and we have agreed to have further debate and discussion about the town centre.

Arup's proposals were the starting point but not necessarily the finishing point."

The Masterplan's proposal to create a more attractive environment for pedestrians in Bingley is also progressing.

In September, the Shipley Area Committee approved a £900,000 scheme to widen footpaths, create safer crossing points, remove unnecessary highways clutter and provide new seating and bins.

Street furniture such as lights, seats, guard rails and bins will be painted a "distinctive" dark blue and silver, although some residents believe the Council overlooked their feelings when choosing the final colour scheme.

In Keighley, discussions have been held with transport bosses, including Metro and Northern Rail, in a bid to revitalise the town's railway station.

Mr Taylor said: "The station is very much the gateway to the town, so it's crucial to upgrade the facility.

"We need to combine a good-quality service with an improvement in the standard of stations throughout Airedale. I've had positive feedback from the transport companies."

The proposal to create a landmark hotel development in Keighley still relies on Keighley College vacating its existing North Street site and relocating to Dalton Lane.

College bosses remain confident that the new campus will open in 2008, despite a recent delay in the purchase of much-needed land.

Mr Osbourne said: "The college scheme has had its ups and downs, but it looks set to be finalised, which will be good for the station and will free up the North Street site for development. A project will begin in earnest in the new year.

"People can already see change in Keighley, especially around the station where derelict buildings have been removed.

"We want to improve the image and identity of Keighley, raising its profile."

Mr Osbourne pointed to the amount of developer activity in the Aire Valley as another positive indictor.

"It's been a highly significant nine months since we launched the Masterplan in March. Interest and investment in Airedale are increasing as developers gain more confidence in the area's potential, " he said.

Plans to transform derelict mills in Keighley into a riverside village were submitted to planners last week. The £65 million scheme at Grove Mills, Ingrow, is seen as a major plank in driving forward the Masterplan.

The £70 million conversion of Victoria Mills, in Saltaire, is also moving forward at pace.

The massive site is being transformed into a self-contained community, with 407 apartments - half in the mill and half in brand new buildings.

Meanwhile, the aim of preserving and enhancing Airedale's rural backdrop is being heavily discussed.

The Masterplan aims to create a 'lifestyle corridor' drawing on Airedale's outstanding landscape, World Heritage Site and waterways.

"We have met with the Environment Agency, British Waterways and Yorkshire Water and they are all keen to work with us to bring about positive change, " said Mr Taylor.

Projects such as the reopening of the Bradford Canal are looking promising, with a feasibility study currently being carried out.

KEIGHLEY. . .What's in the Masterplan Vision Keighley needs to reposition itself as the focus, or even capital, of Airedale.

Short term projects 2005 to 2008: Improve the town's image through environmental and accessibility improvements.

Restore the heritage railway station to its full Victorian splendour, to create a fitting arrival point.

Develop and promote town centre living.

A landmark hotel and conference centre on the existing Keighley College site.

Medium term projects 2008 to 2012: Develop enhanced retail areas, including the removal of the Cavendish Retail Park to be replaced by a new retail development that strengthens north to south pedestrian movement.

To remove through traffic from the heart of the town centre, possibly traffic from Cavendish Street and Hanover Street.

Establish diverse leisure offer bringing activity and investment to the town centre in the evenings.

Long term projects 2012 to 2020: Market-led developments, including improvement of specialist retail, enhanced leisure facilities, growing demand for residential and business accommodation.

BINGLEY. . .What's in the Masterplan Vision: Bingley has an opportunity to be regenerated as a distinctive market town that offers an outstanding place to live and visit.

Short term projects 2005 to 2008: Public realm improvements to Main Street to create attractive pedestrian environment.

Demolition of Myrtle Walk to be replaced by a prestigious retail development.

High quality town centre residential developments.

Improvements to the railway station environment and feeder bus network.

Medium term projects 2008 to 2012: Creation of a new town square on Jubilee Gardens Completion of public transport interchange at railway station square New civic facilities to refocus pedestrian activity in the town square area Old town hall to become a hotel to provide an attractive venue for business conferences and a base for leisure visitors.

Long term projects 2012 to 2020: The projects will be market-led, including improved specialist retail, enhanced leisure facilities and an ever-growing demand for residential and business accommodation.

SHIPLEY. . .What's in the Masterplan Vision: Shipley should develop its role as a convenience, retail and service centre, attractive market town and well-connected location.

Short term projects 2005 to 2008: Redeveloping market square area to encourage new residential development in that part of town and reinvigorating the existing markets and surrounding retail facilities Shipley College development in Otley Road will provide the first wave of improvements in links between the railway station and town centre.

Improvement in railway station environment and introduction of town centre hopper bus to improve connectivity.

Medium term projects 2008 to 2012: Delivery of Shipley Eastern Link Road and associated improvements in accessibility to the town centre and railway station.

Redevelopment of former indoor market will bring more high-quality residential accommodation.

Regeneration of Well Croft will include more retail premises that complete the transformation of the town centre.

Improved pedestrian links to Saltaire and the canal to reinforce connectivity to nearby leisure destinations. This would involve a physical transformation of Saltaire Road to make it more interesting to walkers, including a possible hotel or visitor centre half way between Shipley and Saltaire.

New office accommodation in Otley Road will increase daytime footfall to the town.

Long term projects 2012 to 2020: Public transport interchange to provide integration between the town centre and the railway station, a dedicated bus station and significant parking for shoppers.

To access the complete Masterplan log onto www.airedalepartnership.org