BRADFORD Council has appointed commercial real estate specialist, Cushman & Wakefield, to assist with its ambition to create a sustainable new community neighbourhood in Bradford city centre.

The Council’s vision is the construction of a vibrant ‘City Village’ of around 1,000 attractive new homes and for business to trade, invest and grow.

The site of the new community includes the current Oastler indoor market and shopping centre, which is being relocated to Darley Street.

The new ‘City Village’ will incorporate the ‘Top of Town’ area, which has recently received £2m in Heritage Lottery Funding for its redevelopment.

Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed to produce a delivery plan to revitalise the area and improve its connectivity to the rest of the city centre. These plans will be used to stimulate the creation of an urban village environment with green healthy streets and public spaces, homes, independent shops, cafes, bars and business spaces built on high quality and sustainable principles.

The creation of a new residential-led mixed use development in this area of the city centre is also seen a chance for the Council to work collaboratively with Homes England and private sector partners to deliver high-quality modern urban living.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “In recent years, our city centre has gone from strength-to-strength.

“This is the start of an exciting opportunity to take it to the next level with sustainable and healthy living combined with high quality public space that will help shape Bradford for future generations.”

Shelagh O’Neill, assistant director responsible for economy and development at Bradford Council said: “Delivering this new residential community in the area to be known as ‘City Village’ is an important project for Bradford.

“It will not only revitalise this area of the city centre, but also create a prototype for urban community-living, boosting confidence in Bradford as a place in which to live, work and play.”

Stephen Miles, Partner in Cushman & Wakefield’s Development and Planning team, said: “We are delighted to be involved in engaging in this important mandate on behalf of Bradford Council.

“We will aim to facilitate an innovative approach to both place making and funding delivery to ensure that the Council’s vision can be realised.”

The £21 million shake up of the city centre’s markets will see the former Marks & Spencer building transformed into a new food market, with the existing Kirkgate Market focusing on non-food items.