PLANS to expand a local manufacturing company’s base have been approved by Bradford Council.

Don Whitley Scientific Limited had been based in Shipley for 40 years until, in 2018, the company moved to a larger site at Victoria Works on Victoria Street in Bingley town centre.

Earlier this year the firm, which manufactures micro biological equipment, submitted an application to demolish outbuildings on the site and erect a storage unit, which the company said was needed due to the “continually expanding” nature of the business.

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The application has now been approved by planning officers, who said: “The proposed industrial unit would be of a size, design and siting which would be in keeping with existing industrial units on the site.”

Don Whitley Scientific employs over 70 people, and while the majority are based in Bingley, there are also sites in Germany and Australia.

The company specialises in the design, manufacture and servicing of micro biology equipment for use in clinical environments such as hospitals and laboratories.