A MAJOR overhaul of a Bradford retail park has been given the green light by planners.

Improvements to Forster Square Retail Park, including more pedestrian links to the rest of the city, a children's play area and a new customer service building, have been given the go ahead by Bradford Council

The retail park's car park will become a one way system, new cycle parking will be installed and a pedestrian underpass underneath Hamm Strasse will be made "more welcoming".

British Land owns the site and its planning application says the group is looking to "invest in the park to enhance the shopping environment and public realm".

The group says the changes were sought because of the ongoing improvements to the Forster Square Railway Station and the soon to open Westfield development.

The retail park contains some of the city's biggest shops, including national names like Asda Living, Next, and Currys, as well as cafes and restaurants like McDonalds and Subway.

The application says more efforts are needed to be made to to prevent the retail park from becoming a car-only destination.

The plans involve the creation of 40 cycling spaces, new benches and street furniture and an events space. The changes will leave the car park with 18 fewer spaces.

The "customer service lodge" will provide facilities for shoppers include disabled toilets a baby changing area, and an on site security presence.

The play area will be created near the entrance to the northern part of the park, overlooked by the block of cafes and coffee shops.

New paved areas will be created from materials that are "inspired by Bradford's rich history in textiles" and the Hamm Strasse underpass will use an "elaborate lighting scheme" to transform what British Land admits is an "intimidating environment".

Councillor David Green, leader of Bradford Council, welcomed news that the improvements had been approved, saying the changes will further add to the city's re-development.

He said: "Anything that will improve the links between the retail park and the centre will benefit the city.

"We need to make sure that the park and the city centre complement each other. At the moment they are disjointed and I hope this helps fix this."

British Land is now waiting for the results of a separate planning application for new signs to be installed at the retail park to go along with the improvements.

A start date of the works has yet to be announced.

Bradford Council is also heavily involved in making improvements to the look of the city centre through investment secured from the Government's Regional Growth Fund.

Work has taken place to improve pedestrian access from the city centre to Forster Square station and the retail park while improvements are being made to the area at the junction of Kirkgate and Darley Street to create Kirkgate Square and try to create a more uniform look to the city's retail centre.

Extensive works are also being carried out around the under construction Westfield shopping centre, including at one of the main entrances to it in Broadway.

A major repaving project is also taking place in Bridge Street from the Interchange to the city centre.