BRADFORD Council is set to earmark more than £300,000 in a bid to secure a multi-million pound economic development funding pot for Keighley and Shipley.

In the local authority budget ­– due to be considered by the council executive on January 2 – it is proposed that £324,000 be invested to complement an initial Government grant.

The money would enable detailed plans to be drawn-up for Keighley and Shipley to secure up to £25 million through the Government’s multi-billion pound Towns Fund.

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Unveiled in the autumn, the Towns Fund is designed to “drive long-term economic and productivity growth through investment in connectivity, land use, economic assets including cultural assets, skills and enterprise infrastructure”.

Council officers are currently awaiting detailed guidance from the Government which will help shape the development of the blueprint.

And the council will begin working on the plans – with businesses, residents and other stakeholders – early in the new year.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “This is part of the council’s continued commitment to supporting economic development across our district.

“This funding could be used to develop strong proposals, giving us the best possible chance to secure tens of millions of pounds to boost jobs and investment in Shipley and Keighley.”

The Government announced in September that over 100 towns and cities across the UK would be given support through the Towns Fund to carry out “innovative regeneration plans”.