Detailed plans to rejuvenate the west of Bradford were unveiled today in which homes, businesses and seats of learning will exist cheek-by-jowl with new green open spaces. WILL KILNER reports on the Valley neighbourhood of the city's masterplan.

Sixteen key schemes have been identified in the Valley neighbourhood to rejuvenate the area, of which four are considered top priority to kick-start the renaissance.

One of the priority projects is to create a park on the slopes of the re-opened beck below the college and university with footpaths, resting places and tree planting.

The so-called Beckside Park would be part of a series of linked open spaces in the valley bottom, flowing round and between buildings.

This is a revision of Will Alsop's plan for a valley park alongside the beck with no buildings. He proposed to put the park on land for which there was little demand but, since then, there has been an upturn in the property market. The consultants, led by URBED Urban Economic Development Group, said: "There is no longer the need, nor the opportunity to turn over so much land to open space."

Another priority scheme is the Listergate residential development on the eastern part of the former gasworks site. This would be a landmark development at the gateway to the Valley neighbourhood, consisting of striking towers and a landscaped area.

Meanwhile, the western part of the gasworks would be used for the Bradford Science Park, containing high quality buildings for companies arising out of the university or wanting to be near the education establishments.

The science park, designed to attract knowledge-based companies, would be the centrepiece of plans to make the area a hub of creative industries.

There are also proposals for a creative workspace in Sunbridge Road, called the Arc, which would demonstrate how old buildings can be converted for use by knowledge-based companies, enticing others to convert similar buildings.

Meanwhile, the former site of the Alexandra Hotel, in Great Horton Road, could be used for a new Bradford College building, further adding to the knowledge theme running through the area.

A third top priority scheme would involve creating a new urban village between Sunbridge Road and Westgate. The Goitside Urban Village would bring about 1,500 new homes through new-build housing and conversions. The refurbishment of the existing Chain Street properties by Bradford Community Housing Trust would form the first phase of the scheme.

The number of homes in the area would be further boosted by plans for a waterside residential development in Westholme Street.

The fourth priority project would see Sunbridge Road transformed into a high street for the area, with trees, public art and cafes spilling on to the pavements. Narrower carriageways would slow traffic.

This would kick-start the wider aim of creating so-called Quality Streets' throughout the entire Valley area. These streets would be designed as attractive public spaces and a new ring road link would form part of the street plans.

The blueprint says the Valley represents a significant gap in Bradford's ring road and there have been long-standing proposals to complete the road through this area.

It says traffic must be accommodated in a way which minimises the impact of vehicle movement and does not provide barriers to pedestrian movement.

The proposal is to create a new road from Drewton Road to Thornton Road, called Paradise Street, and the blueprint examines three proposals for the exact route of this road.

As part of the plan, which is not on the priority list because of its sheer scale and complexity, Thornton Road would be turned into a boulevard.

The boulevard would be made up of four-metre wide pavements with two carriageways in each direction divided by a central reservation that would become an important pedestrian spine.

This would have no barriers and pedestrians would be protected by trees and unobtrusive bollards.

The central reservation would include a double row of trees integrated with column lighting and seating to create an uncluttered street scene.

Running through the entire neighbourhood would be a collection of new public squares and courtyards. The centrepiece could be the planned Orchard Square, which would include a distinctive grid of flowered trees such as pear or cherry, providing sheltered areas for sitting and meeting. This square would be located at the entrance to the city at the junction of Thornton Road, Paradise Street and Listerhills Road.

A programme involving environmental works and improved lighting would be carried out as part of the Cross Valley Routes initiative. This scheme would make pedestrian routes between the university area and Westgate more attractive.

Under the 15-year plan, the four themes for the valley neighbourhood would be urban living, creativity and knowledge, living landscapes and quality streets.

Councillor Andrew Mallinson, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, said: "This is the third exciting plan for the city centre and is a detailed interpretation of the Will Alsop Masterplan.

"These plans will show in detail how the renaissance of the western part of the city can be taken forward."

Marc Cole, director of regeneration for Bradford Centre Regeneration, said: "The vision proposes 16 imaginative and individual schemes which aspires to revive the unique character, townscape and history of this fascinating area of the city centre."

A new city centre action plan will incorporate all four NDFs, of which there is still one to come, and become the new planning policy document against which all planning applications will be tested.

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

A £2bn chance

A key member of Bradford's regeneration team is to leave the city to take up a new role in Nottingham.

Marc Cole joined Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR) in early 2004 from St Helens Council where he carried out a similar role.

A BCR spokesman confirmed Mr Cole, who is director of regeneration, would leave "at the end of the year".

His job, with a salary of up to £100,000, is now being advertised.

A BCR spokesman said they were looking for candidates with the ability and experience to lead the city's £2 billion regeneration programme.

BCR say potential candidates should have "significant urban regeneration experience, an innovative approach, a talent for leading and motivating staff and the ability to develop programmes on time and to budget."

The spokesman said: "BCR can confirm that it is seeking a new director of regeneration to replace Marc Cole who will be leaving the Bradford Centre Regeneration team at the end of 2006 to take up a senior position in the field of regeneration elsewhere in the UK.

"Marc has been an invaluable member of the team over the last two years and his contribution to the regeneration of the city cannot be overestimated.

"BCR is actively recruiting to find a suitable replacement. Marc will play an important part in that process.

BCR chief executive Maud Marshall said: "We are delighted for Marc that he has been appointed to this role which is a major step up for him and reflects the excellent contribution he has made to Bradford's regeneration over the last two years.

"I would like to thank him for his outstanding input which now sees more than 37 projects under way in the city.

"The potential investment value is now £2 billion and the new jobs forecast exceeds 12,000.

"We are confident that we will find an equally high-calibre candidate to replace him."

Candidates have until October 2 to apply.