A MAJOR new industrial development planned for Keighley will create jobs and give a massive boost to the local economy, say delighted community leaders.

A dozen units are proposed as part of the scheme, for the former Universal Mills site off Dalton Lane.

The initiative would provide almost 6,700 square metres of badly-needed industrial space in the town.

Keighley Town Council's planning committee has already given its approval to the project.

And now applicant JPR Developments is seeking permission from Bradford Council.

The developer says the venture would help address a "growing need" for industrial units in the town.

As the units would be put on the market rather than built with an end user in mind, the application doesn't include details of how many employees would be based at the site.

But the scale of the scheme is huge. The proposals include the creation of 133 parking spaces to serve the new businesses.

A spokesperson for the applicant said: "The accessible location of the site on the edge of the town centre – and the modern design of the buildings – would help make it a sustainable development.

"The units would hopefully allow businesses to move into premises that cater to their needs. We have been made aware by agents that this area has a growing need for such units.

"The proposals seek to provide sustainable economic development by regenerating a brownfield site in a location that will promote increased choice and competition."

Access to the site would be off Beecroft Street, which would be improved and widened if the plans are approved.

At least ten per cent of the parking spaces on the site would have to include electric vehicle charging points.

Keighley MP Robbie Moore says the scheme could be "fantastic" for the town.

"A new industrial site would create a huge amount of jobs for all across our area and provide a real boost to the local economy," he added.

"It is also right that this development is taking place on a brownfield site, which is currently unused and prime for regeneration.

"It's brilliant to see private inward investment into our town. And I'll be very excited to see these plans progress, as they will help drive local growth."

Councillor Martyn Wood, chair of Keighley Town Council's planning committee, said: "We were happy to approve this application for the former Universal Mills site.

"It brings back into use a piece of land in a positive way."

If approved by Bradford Council, the development will be the latest in a series of industrial schemes proposed for the centre of Keighley.

The Universal Mills plan comes a little over a year after the major redevelopment of a neighbouring site, at the corner of Dalton Lane and Bradford Road, was given the green light.