PLANS for a new £2.2 million Keighley fire station have been approved.

The three-storey, state-of-the art facility will be built on the site of the existing fire station in Bradford Road.

Work is expected to start later this year or early in 2023.

During the scheduled two-year construction period, the town's firefighters will operate from a temporary base.

Proposals to replace Keighley's current fire station – which dates from 1964 – were first unveiled by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service three years ago, as part of a shake-up of provision across the region.

A planning application was submitted to Bradford Council last year, but there were delays due to wranglings with Yorkshire Water over the new station's drainage system.

Planning officers have now given approval.

The application said the current facility was "outdated and no longer meets the needs of a modern-day fire service".

It added that the new build would be more energy efficient.

Funding for the project was included in West Yorkshire Fire Authority’s 2020-21 budget, but it was put on hold due to the pandemic.

The temporary structure which will provide a base for firefighters whilst work is carried out is earmarked for the north of the site, and will comprise an existing building and pre-fabricated extensions. Approval for that is still awaited.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Additional consultations have taken place to satisfy various regulations and authorities about the site’s drainage system, which has led to a delay in the original timescale.

"Subject to approval of a temporary station, it is anticipated the project will go out for full tender in the early summer – with tender bids received, scored and presented for approval at the fire and rescue committee in late 2022.

"Subject to approval of this, the build is anticipated to start in late 2022/early 2023, with an approximate construction period of 24 months."

The brigade says the new station will be "better equipped to deliver a modern fire and rescue service for the people of Keighley and surrounding areas".

There will be improved training facilities for crews based at Keighley, as well as at other stations such as Silsden.

The building will incorporate "renewable technologies", lessening the impact on the environment and reducing overall annual running costs.

There will also be a community room, which will be offered free for use by non-profit organisations.

The access onto Bradford Road will remain unchanged.

As part of a public consultation, letters were sent to 60 residents and businesses in the area – plus ward councillors.

Just one query was raised, seeking a reassurance that a neighbouring site would continue to be accessible during the construction period.

Community leaders have welcomed the go-ahead.

Town mayor, Councillor Julie Adams, said the scheme represented a "very positive move" for Keighley.

She added: "I’m delighted that the long-awaited project is finally coming to fruition and I look forward to following its progress.

"With the closure of Haworth fire station, I think it’s right that we have an up-to-date base to ensure the town and surrounding areas have the best possible care of our fantastic fire service. Our firefighters, like all the emergency services, deserve only the best resources."

Keighley MP Robbie Moore said the new fire station was "great news".

"I have met with our hardworking local firefighters many times – even working a shift with them last summer, seeing first-hand what an excellent job they do for our town," he said.

"It is great news that they will be getting a new fire station in the same location. It is one of several new investments coming into Keighley over the next couple of years."