Sought-after Saltaire has been shortlisted in a competition as one of the best places to live in the British Isles.

The World Heritage Site, with its historic mix of community and industry, is in the final three in The Academy of Urbanism Awards in the category ‘A Great Neighbourhood’.

Saltaire is up against stiff competition as the other finalists are The Grand Canal quarter in Dublin and Glasgow’s West End district.

Judges from the Academy, including architects, planners, academics and psychologists, will now pay a half-day visit next month to see for themselves what the industrial village has to offer.

They will be met by senior Council officers including Robin Copeland, Bradford Council’s landscape, design and conservation team leader. The judges are looking for distinct character and whether it is an attractive, safe and enticing place for people to live, work and play.

Commercial success, environment and transport links also play a part in their decision-making.

Their tour will include the Stables, college buildings, Congregational Church, Victoria Road, Victoria Hall, Salts Mill, up to Saltaire Road, along Gordon Terrace and the Almshouses.

Short presentations about ongoing projects, plans and developments will be made by relevant officers and other stakeholders along the way.

Coun Val Slater, Bradford Council’s executive member for housing, planning and transport, said: “Saltaire is a marvellous example of a purpose-built industrial village originally intended for Titus Salt’s mill workers.

“It is now a sought-after area to live in as it has good, solid terraced houses, excellent transport links to Bradford and Leeds, upmarket shops, cafes and bars, the beautiful Salts Mill with its galleries and gift shops and the canal, river and parkland.”

* Bradford’s City Park picked up an Academy of Urbanism Award earlier this year for being a “great place”.