£275m Bradford Broadway plan is approved (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting TANEWS to 80360, or email
£275m Bradford Broadway plan is approved
7:40am Thursday 20th October 2011 in News
By Jo Winrow, City Hall Reporter
An artist’s impression of the planned Westfield development
Planning permission has been granted for the long-awaited Broadway shopping centre development in Bradford, amid calls for Westfield to confirm when it will begin work on the key site.
Detailed plans for the first phase of the £275 million revised plans were approved unanimously by Bradford Council’s regulatory and appeals committee yesterday.
Members also agreed to outline plans for offices and apartments, the details of which must be finalised within seven years.
After the meeting, Westfield said the decision would add a “further layer of confidence” for retailers interested in signing up for shops in the scheme.
The complex is for 75 shops, cafes and restaurants with car parking and is expected to create 2,500 retail jobs with another 1,500 jobs during its construction. It also includes 1,345 car parking spaces over three levels.
Councillors at the meeting praised the scheme and asked for a commitment for the jobs to go to local people.
Councillor Sajawal Hussain (Lab, City) said: “The sooner this development takes place the better.”
Councillor Shabir Hussain (Lab, Manningham) said: “I look forward to this project going ahead. I can assure Westfield it’s something they won’t regret. It will prosper.”
Councillor Valerie Binney (Con, Thornton and Allerton) added: “We have been waiting patiently all this time. It can’t come too soon. I thank Westfield for not deserting us.”
Committee chairman Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) ended by saying: “It’s a great opportunity for Bradford. We have waited a long time and we look forward to this being built. This will bring a vibrant Bradford back to life.”
The committee heard how no financial contributions were being sought in relation to the residential side of the scheme due to the project’s economic viability.
They were also told that the Council was working hard to mitigate any effect to retailers at the top of the city centre when the Westfield Bradford development opens. It is hoped that despite some retailers expected to move from Darley Street into the new centre, the total footfall will increase in the city centre as people, who do not currently shop in Bradford, return.
The Council’s executive member with responsibility for regeneration, Councillor David Green said: “I am delighted that this hurdle has been cleared and we will continue to work closely with Westfield in an effort to get them on site as soon as possible to bring this important regeneration project to fulfilment as quickly as possible.”
A Westfield spokesman said: “We are very pleased with the decision by Bradford Council to grant detailed planning consent for our Broadway retail development.
“This positive step underlines the commitment and vision of the Council for regeneration in the City.”
Comments(18)
Avro
says...
8:34am Thu 20 Oct 11
"continue to work closely with Westfield in an effort to get them on site as soon as possible" - it was only a few weeks ago that Greenwood anounced on Look North that Westfield would be back on site February 2012!
And stop your play on words to suggest its 75 shops plus restaurants & cafe's, when its actually 70 shops, with the balance of 5 split between restaurants, bars and cafes!
Rambo
says...
9:05am Thu 20 Oct 11
.
Any bets on it being delayed or overspent on?
.
And I do wonder exactly how many existing stores will simply up and move from space they do currently occupy or open another branch on the site. Before when announcements were made about new tenants many seemed to be the likes of Carphone Warehouse and Vodafone, which isn't exactly inspiring.....
Mekon
says...
9:07am Thu 20 Oct 11
"Westfield says its committed..."
Joedavid
says...
9:23am Thu 20 Oct 11
....................
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
9:34am Thu 20 Oct 11
.
No sh1t, Sherlock.
.
At least the artists impression has the footfall in Bradford correct.
Bone_idle18
says...
10:10am Thu 20 Oct 11
As said, shops wont commit to a project with no planning permission, no it's in place we should see them get on board.
would like to see Debenhams, M&S and BHS signed up.
Avro
says...
10:22am Thu 20 Oct 11
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
10:33am Thu 20 Oct 11
Bone_idle18 wrote:Your proabably along with the councillors, The T&A and Reno who buys into this if I'm honest.
Is it only me who sees this as a positive step forward. As said, shops wont commit to a project with no planning permission, no it's in place we should see them get on board. would like to see Debenhams, M&S and BHS signed up.
.
Plans for the Westfield shopping center were first approved in 2003, we are now in 2011 and we have just approved new plans. It's taken 8 years to reaprove plans and knock half the city center down so you'll have to excuse us for thinking seeing is believing.
MontyLeMar
says...
10:38am Thu 20 Oct 11
Albion.
says...
11:04am Thu 20 Oct 11
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:It looks very stark in comparison to earlier plans.
Councillor Sajawal Hussain (Lab, City) said: “The sooner this development takes place the better.”
.
No sh1t, Sherlock.
.
At least the artists impression has the footfall in Bradford correct.
Joedavid
says...
11:08am Thu 20 Oct 11
MontyLeMar wrote:You forgot the Odeon and half a knocked down police station.
The progress of this one site must not be allowed to hinder the fabulous progress Bradford has already made over the last year. Forget Westfield, they'll build it in their own good time. Personally I'm looking forward to the opening of the mirror pool and the Christmas lights. Oh, and the re-opening of the central library.
Rambo
says...
11:58am Thu 20 Oct 11
.
Apart from the park which is late and overbudget, what solid progress has there actually been? And give me something else other than a few new chain hotels.
wingerman11
says...
12:36pm Thu 20 Oct 11
We are no further on than 7 years ago, in fact probably gone backwards, and yet shes brown nosing Westfield!
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
12:51pm Thu 20 Oct 11
wingerman11 wrote:All the councillors quotes are laughable in this story.
What sort of pathetic comment is that from the Councillor "We thank Westfield for not deserting us"? We are no further on than 7 years ago, in fact probably gone backwards, and yet shes brown nosing Westfield!
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
12:58pm Thu 20 Oct 11
.
Just wondering as the council confirmed they were well aware of it so it if is still open they are clearly turning a blind eye to it and in the process sticking two fingers up at the law abiding public.
Bone_idle18
says...
12:51pm Fri 21 Oct 11
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:Well, there's only a handful of people who actually constantly moan about it.
Bone_idle18 wrote:Your proabably along with the councillors, The T&A and Reno who buys into this if I'm honest.
Is it only me who sees this as a positive step forward. As said, shops wont commit to a project with no planning permission, no it's in place we should see them get on board. would like to see Debenhams, M&S and BHS signed up.
.
Plans for the Westfield shopping center were first approved in 2003, we are now in 2011 and we have just approved new plans. It's taken 8 years to reaprove plans and knock half the city center down so you'll have to excuse us for thinking seeing is believing.
Surely I'm in a silent majority?
NCC.1701A
says...
10:27am Sat 22 Oct 11
windymiller says...
8:31am Thu 20 Oct 11