This article appeared in the Keighley News on Thursday 25th May 2006.

Hundreds of Jobs due to be created.

(from left to right:) Bill Hudson, of Gordons Solicitors, Elaine and Karl Kunz and Nigel Shaw, of Garbutt & Elliott, at the site.

Work has begun on a multi-million pound development, which will create 250 jobs.

Almost 150,000 sq ft of new industrial units are to be built over the next five years at the Castlefields Industrial Estate, Crossflatts.

Parkmount Estates – owner of the 26-acre site – has embarked on phase one of the expansion programme, comprising warehouses and office buildings.

The first industrial unit has already been completed and let to bathroom and doormat specialist Primeur.

Karl Kunz, a director of Parkmount Estates, said: “ Our new developments will create much needed jobs for the area and provide a shot in the arm for the Airedale economy.

"We are very proud of what we have achieved here. Originally an old heavy foundry, Castlefields is now a mixed-use estate with light industrial, retail and office buildings."

"We are confident that our development plans will be successful, as the estate is already popular."

His sister and fellow director Elaine Kunz said: “We believe that the standard of our buildings including the imaginative new offices, will attract top-quality and sustainable jobs.

"We have not embarked on our new developments lightly and look forward to delivering something very special for the area."

Nigel Shaw – of Yorkshire Accountants Garbutt & Elliott, an advisor to Parkmount Estates – says the expansion is excellent news for the Airedale economy.

He added: "This is a genuinely successful and sustainable site, which has tremendous potential to attract new employment in the area."

Andy Taylor, regeneration manager with the Airedale Partnership, said: "We welcome this investment. Parkmount has shown great confidence in the Airedale corridor and we look forward to working with it to make sure this development is the success it deserves to be."

Parkmount Estates has also been advised by Gordons Solicitors of Leeds and Bradford. Joint agents for the estate are Hayfield Robinson, of Keighley, and Harvey Burns, in Leeds.