Plans to create a new neighbourhood in the heart of Bradford city centre are out for consultation.
Built across the ‘Top of Town’ and Darley Street areas, the new City Village will repurpose places traditionally used for retail, by creating 1,000 homes and a sustainable community.
Bradford Council has now set out its vision in the hopes of reducing what it called outdated retail stock and reshaping Bradford around changing times in the economy.
The Council is working alongside the English Cities Fund (ECF) to make the new public spaces, homes, and streets feel safe, healthy, attractive.
The proposals include high-quality public spaces, modern landscaping and traffic-calmed streets.
Sites like the Kirkgate and Oastler shopping centres appear on the plans.
Simon Dew, development director at ECF, said: “Whilst much needed new housing is at the heart of this vision, City Village will also boost opportunities for independent retail, cafes, bars and business spaces.
“At this early stage as our plans are still taking shape, we’re starting a conversation with local residents and businesses. We want to hear their views on our initial ideas for regenerating this area of the city and understand what’s important to them. We plan to submit a planning application for City Village towards the end of 2024, and there will be further opportunities for people to get involved as our plans develop.”
It comes at a point of redirection for Bradford, with the new £23m Darley Street Market development and NEC Bradford Live well underway.
The One City Park building was recently completed while there are major highway and public realm infrastructure improvements taking place until 2025.
How to share your views
Members of the public can have their say on the City Village plans by visiting www.bradfordcityvillage.com or attending three events this December.
Local residents, businesses and stakeholders are being asked to take part in the online survey.
The public consultation is open until January 7, 2024.
People can speak directly to the project team by visiting Kirkgate Shopping Centre between 12pm and 4pm on Thursday, December 7; The Broadway between 2.30pm and 6.30pm on Friday, December 8, and 11.30am to 3.30pm on Saturday, December 9.
ECF is a strategic joint venture between developer Muse, which recently delivered the 56,400 sq ft One City Park office scheme in Bradford; investor Legal & General; and the government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “City Village is one of the most significant regeneration developments in the district, bringing not just much needed quality housing into the city centre, but also providing opportunities for our independent retail and hospitality businesses.
“This first consultation is an early opportunity for people to have their say and help shape the future of the historic ‘Top of Town’ area of the city centre.”
'Quality over quantity'
In May, Bradford Civic Society called for a phased approach and proper engagement with the public over plans for a City Village development.
The organisation is keen to ensure “quality over quantity” and is urging a creative approach to development.
Kieran Thompson, of Bradford Civic Society's place panel, said: "Many people will be pleased to hear that City Village plans are progressing but now is the time to meaningfully engage to ensure we develop a place that is properly shaped by the people of this great city.
"We must now question where other cities have failed when developing at pace to merely provide unit numbers.
“Current development models and building management organisations have had a huge impact on home ownership, type of ownership, length of tenures, lack of community due to transient tenants, and the inability to control rents to ensure they remain affordable for all.
“We have the opportunity to provide a place that solves these problems. Let's be creative.
"Bradford Civic Society suggests a phased development approach for the soon-to-be-vacant Oastler Centre site is a potential way of ensuring the area remains active while longer-term plans are developed.
"This is Bradford's time to design a unique development that provides infrastructure and facilities beyond what is normally deemed acceptable.”
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