It is great news for Bradford that the council has approved ambitious plans for a new underground retail and leisure development in the heart of the city centre.

Utilising old tunnels that criss-cross the area under Sunbridge Road, the developers plan to create a new experience with a dozen shops, two bars and a restaurant.

When this comes to fruition - as soon as by the end of the year, claim developers - it will be yet another major milestone in the ongoing regeneration of the city centre.

Despite the obvious problems Bradford has had with the long-awaited Broadway shopping centre, work continues apace on that in line with a projected opening in late 2015.

With plans for the Odeon moving again, and the continued success of the City Park and Mirror Pool over the summer months, only the most curmudgeonly could deny that Bradford city centre is on the up.

What is most interesting is that the High Street giants which will occupy the Westfield site are being given a pleasing counterbalance by the more unique shops and businesses which will take up residence in the tunnels.

With the City Park in between the two developments, this will create a definable and quite quirky retail and leisure offer which will build on Bradford's existing character and create a real talking point.

Success breeds success, and when these new developments are open we can hope that more businesses and shops will want to base themselves in Bradford to take advantage of the wind of change that is most definitely blowing through the city.

Things are changing in Bradford city centre, and thankfully for the better.