A REGENERATION chief has told councillors that increasing numbers of developers are coming forward with plans to build residential properties in the heart of Bradford.

Bradford Council's director of regeneration Mike Cowlam told a council committee last night that housebuilders were putting forward more schemes for the city centre.

Mr Cowlam said the Broadway shopping centre, which is due to open on November 5, was that catalyst which was encouraging other developers to look at opportunities to build.

He said: "I'm fairly confident this (trend) will grow over the coming years."

An economic report presented to last night's regeneration scrutiny committee revealed a 58 per cent increase in Bradford district planning applications compared with last year.

"There is also increasing developer interest in creating more housing in the city centre," the report noted.

"Bradford planning department reports increased interest in a number of planned large-scale residential schemes, halted during the recession, that could see a substantial increase in city centre housing numbers."

The proposed development of Arndale House, next to the Broadway centre, would create 98 apartments and another 100 units are set to be created in Olicana House.

Councillors heard from council officer Mark Clayton, author of the economic report, who said there had been a "genuine sea change" in the way the city was heading.

"Anecdotally, people I know personally are saying to me that they are hearing that Bradford is on the move and that it would be good to go out for a meal or a drink in the city. They would not have said that two years ago."

Mr Clayton said investment in the city centre - particularly by Broadway developer Westfield - was the catalyst.

"There is no doubt that the city centre is the key catalyst. The fact is that Westfield is bringing nine million people into the city centre. Our focus is to build on that and to make sure it spreads into the city centre."

Emma Longbottom, lead officer on education, employment and skills, told councillors that Broadway staff were being trained to the highest standards in customer service.

The aim, she said, was to ensure Bradford retail staff were a cut above their Leeds counterparts.

"I hope we can beat customer service in Leeds. My personal view, as a shopper, is that customer service in Leeds is poor."

Ms Longbottom said the council and its partners were focusing on "upskilling" young people to ensure they can get jobs.

The meeting at City Hall was told that average weekly full-time earnings for Bradford residents had risen by almost six per cent to £447 since 2010 but was still below the national average of £518.