Airedale plans state-of-the-art factory following major blaze

Airedale International Air Conditioning was destroyed by the inferno last year but plans have been submitted to rebuild the factory.

Proposals will see a new building replace the fire-damaged site on Leeds Road, in Rawdon, and the company hopes to operate at the site by Autumn 2015.

The modern factory will cover 22,662 square metres of light industrial floorspace but it will be built 2.2 metres higher than the existing site. The proposed entrance to the building will be relocated to the south of the site on the elevation facing New York Road.

A report to Leeds City Council’s west and south plans panel said: “The proposed building will be better quality and is an improvement in terms of design. This company is a major employer in the area employing a high number of local staff and the company has had to temporarily locate to another part of Leeds.

“The company wants to move back to this site as quickly as possible and there are significant economic benefits to the area.

“For all these reasons the application is supported.”

The company has temporarily moved to premises on Geldard Road following assistance from Leeds City Council since the blaze in September.