‘I want to see the best for Bradford folk’ (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

‘I want to see the best for Bradford folk’

2:33am Wednesday 4th June 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

The district's new regeneration chief says he is confident Bradford will not get into the same situation as Leeds, where 30 per cent of city centre apartments stand empty.

Councillor Adrian Naylor, Bradford Council's new executive member for regeneration, said the "extremely good" timing of Bradford's regeneration initiative would allow the city to learn from the mistakes of its neighbour.

He said: "Leeds is getting to the point where, in the next few years, it reaches its maximum potential for this cycle of development, so Bradford is the natural progression.

"Our timing is extremely good in that we have seen Leeds develop and end up with 4,000-plus flats that have no occupants at the minute.

"We are about to start on so many projects and can take into account what's happened in Leeds.

"The difference is we are not committed to ad-hoc growth. We have a masterplan."

Coun Naylor used his first full interview in his new role to stress his passion for Bradford and his belief in the district's potential. He took over the Council's regeneration remit from Coun Andrew Mallinson, who was sacked last month.

Coun Naylor said: "I want to see the best for Bradford people. It's an exciting time to take on this role because the regeneration of Bradford is gathering pace and plans are becoming reality."

The 48-year-old said he believed his experience working for large companies and running a small family business will stand him in good stead for the role.

Born in Wigan, he moved to the district in 1978 and studied economics at the University of Bradford, where he met his wife Clare.

He worked for the Deloitte & Touche accountancy company in Bradford, before moving to the Halifax Bank.

He then spent a decade with Skipton Building Society before setting up a family pharmacy business with his wife, acquiring branches in Brighouse, North Yorkshire and Lancashire.

He said: "It's a very relevant background. This role is a natural fit for what I have done in the past.

"Regeneration is not just about a place. It's about people feeling good about where they live, then having confidence in terms of what they are doing.

"It's a bit of an Americanism, but you need to create the can-do' attitude where entrepreneurs are buying into the regeneration."

Coun Naylor got involved in politics three years ago when he joined Silsden Town Council. He then won a by-election for a seat in Bradford Council's Craven ward in 2006.

Since becoming a councillor, he has been keen to find out as much as possible about a councillor's role and, to that end, is just about to gain a Masters in politics.

Coun Naylor spent a year as chairman of the Shipley Area Planning Panel, dealing with large applications such as Myrtle Walk and the Bingley Technology Park.

In Silsden, he has pushed for money to revamp certain sections of the town hall to create more of a community resource for residents.