PLANS for an industrial development on a long-derelict site in Keighley town centre have been given the go-ahead.

Bradford Council has approved proposals for units on the former Hattersley’s land, near Keighley Shared Church.

Over the years, the site has been the subject of a wide range of proposed schemes – including a supermarket.

And more recently, it has been touted by some campaigners as a potential location – rather than the former college site – for the town’s proposed health and wellbeing hub.

Under the latest approved plan, four industrial units would be built.

Redevelopment of the brownfield land has been welcomed by regeneration bosses.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw – Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport – said: “It’s good news for Keighley to see this site being brought back into worthwhile use.

“The proposals will result in more jobs coming into Keighley town centre and I’m pleased to see the plans have taken into account the fact the site is within Keighley Conservation Area.”

Town mayor Councillor Julie Adams welcomes approval of the scheme – but is sceptical about whether the development will go ahead.

“There have been a lot of plans put forward for that site over the years and the fact planning approval has been given doesn’t necessarily mean anything will happen,” she said.

“If the scheme does come to fruition, great – but I won’t hold my breath.

“And I would have preferred to see that site used for the hub.”

The planning application for industrial units on the site was first submitted to Bradford Council early last year.

Since then, the proposals have been tweaked – with the number of industrial units planned being reduced from six to four.

Planning officers said there had been a series of amendments to ensure the design conformed with its surroundings.

The buildings, classed as industrial or warehousing, would measure a total of 1,451 square feet.

Access to the site would be from Beck Street, and there would be tree planting around the car park.

The site is within Keighley Town Centre Conservation Area and there have been calls for something to be done with the prime plot for years.

The planning application, submitted by C Altaf Holdings, stated: “The site has been used as a dumping ground and left to overgrow – and is used by ‘undesirables’.

“Also, in the past, the rear of Hattersley Crescent on Church Street has suffered from vandalism.

“The proposed scheme will restore a derelict site to economic life and will have a positive impact on this part of the conservation area”

The land was once a driving force of the industrial revolution and was home in the 1800s to a factory that manufactured world-beating looms. George Hattersley & Sons closed down in 1984 and the buildings have been long demolished.