Transformation of Bradford's Manchester Road tower blocks

“We think what we are doing will help the renaissance of city centre living,” the head of Bradford West City Community Housing Trust told the T&A.

Sixteen blocks of 1960s flats in Manchester Road and Otley Road, flanking Bradford city centre, were to have “distinctive new roofs, secure landscaped gardens including sculptures and art features, glass enclosed lifts, and even wind turbines to power floodlit features”.

Aerial view of Manchester Road (Image: Newsquest)

Seventeen years later - in December 2020 - work began on demolishing eight high-rise blocks off Manchester Road, paving the way for a multi-million housing development. Windsor Court was the first of five blocks - the others were Stuart, Tudor, Hapsburg and Bolingbroke Court - to be demolished in the first phase of the project. In 2021 the three ‘Y’ blocks - Ashton House, Osmond House and Taunton House - were demolished. Incommunities took the decision to demolish the blocks due to a consistently low demand for the homes. All the tenants were rehomed.

Going back to 2004, residents were looking forward to the transformation their flats, thanks to a major revamp taking the properties into a new era of city living.

Here’s a look back at how the T&A revealed the ambitious plans in a front page story in February 2004:

How the T&A reported the revamp in February 2004 (Image: Newsquest)

“Housing chiefs, who are carrying out the ambitious scheme, said it was among the first of its kind in Britain to create landmarks out of formerly problematic city centre tower blocks.

Tenants in the 900 flats will get new kitchens and bathrooms, insulation and heating in the huge project which will be carried out by Bradford West City Community Housing Trust over the next three years.

The tower blocks pictured in 1966 (Image: Newsquest)

Within the Manchester Road area will be the first stage of an innovative “living street” to provide a safe and pleasant route for pedestrians and cyclists which will eventually stretch to the city centre.

The first section of the street, which will be built by BCHT’s construction partner Bullock, will run from Senior Way to Clayton Lane. It will be funded with the help of a £165,000 contribution from Bradford Council and the Trident regeneration scheme which will be responsible for the rest of the route.

Douglas Tower was one of the blocks scheduled for a revamp (Image: Newsquest)

In recent years high-rise blocks have become increasingly unpopular and many have been razed to the ground.

But Ian Simpson, executive director of Bradford West City Community Housing Trust, said: “These blocks are well liked by a lot of people and some of them would go nowhere else.

“We are seeing a lot of private apartments being developed in the city centre and we are providing a balance with social housing near the city centre in very attractive places.”

He said most of the flats had not been modernised since they were built in the 1960s, although a £1.6 millionclosed circuit television and concierge system was installed in 2003.

Residents were 'delighted' at the revamp plans (Image: Newsquest)

“We think what we are doing will help the renaissance of city centre living, “ said Mr Simpson. “We think it is worth investing in them and making them landmarks. We hear a lot about desirable city living in expensive apartments - well this is the city centre living that doesn’t cost the earth.”

Lil Acklam, chairman of the Triangle and Royal Tenants’ Association, said: “People are delighted. They have been waiting a very long time and now they realise it isn’t just talk and is going to happen.”

Residential artist June Russell will use different flats in the blocks to create pictures showing the changing views of the city. She will also organise exhibitions in the flats of work done by pupils at Rhodesway School.

How the flats looked in 2006 (Image: Newsquest)

The blocks being improved are Buchan, Douglas, Evans, Windsor, Bollingbroke, Hapsburg, Tudor, Stuart, Fairfax, Newcastle, Ruth, Underwood, Rossett, Ashton, Taunton and Osmond.

Mr Simpson said wind turbines to be installed above the flats r appearance would echo the theme of the award-winning guided bus route along Manchester Road where a wind turbine heats the seat in a bus shelter.

Miss Acklam said there had been problems in the blocks in the past with drug taking and vandalism.

“But for the past two years everybody has wanted to live here and I think there is a good community spirit,” she added. “It’s popular because of the security.”