More green spaces and children’s play areas are planned for a vandal-hit inner-city estate in a bid to improve residents’ lives.

Sheffield-based development and regeneration company Places for People has applied to Bradford Council for permission for extensive landscaping at Pollard Park.

The scheme would see unused and unsightly areas of asphalt removed and paths re-aligned and protected with bollards and boulders to prevent problems of hooligans racing through the estate on quad bikes and motorcycles.

The proposals, part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Green Spaces for People programme, have been drawn up following an extensive consultation to gather residents’ views.

And the application now includes plans to create “natural play areas” rather than large formal play structures for children, after the feedback warned that they were likely to attract vandals.

Similarly, initial proposals to create formal seating areas have been ditched due to residents’ concerns they could become gathering points for anti-social behaviour.

Areas close to Ribbleton Grove, Brookfield Road car park, Ayton Close, Barkerend School and Haslam Close are outlined in the application as being in particular need of improvements.

The scheme has been welcomed by ward councillors.

Councillor Mohammed Jamil (Con, Bowling and Barkerend) said: “Anything that improves the area is positive and we always support initiatives that benefit the area. I really support it. There’s a need for improvement.”

  • Read the full story in Monday's T&A