Bradford City Village plan: 'Quality over quantity' urged

The organisation is keen to ensure “quality over quantity” and is urging a creative approach to development.

Citing proper public engagement as key to its success, the Civic Society has welcomed news that the City Village development has taken a step forward with the appointment of development partners.

The new City Village will repurpose areas of the city that have traditionally been used for retail, by creating 1,000 homes and a sustainable community.

Bradford Council’s executive voted to move ahead with the huge scheme, which would see homes built over three main areas in the city centre – the Oastler Market site, the site of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre and on Council owned car parks off Westgate.

Kieran Thompson, of Bradford Civic Society's place panel, said: "Many people will be pleased to hear that City Village plans are progressing but now is the time to meaningfully engage to ensure we develop a place that is properly shaped by the people of this great city.

"We must now question where other cities have failed when developing at pace to merely provide unit numbers.

An artist's impression of the planned City Village scheme (Image: Bradford Council)

“Current development models and building management organisations have had a huge impact on home ownership, type of ownership, length of tenures, lack of community due to transient tenants, and the inability to control rents to ensure they remain affordable for all.

“We have the opportunity to provide a place that solves these problems. Let's be creative.

"Bradford Civic Society suggests a phased development approach for the soon-to-be-vacant Oastler Centre site is a potential way of ensuring the area remains active while longer-term plans are developed.

"This is Bradford's time to design a unique development that provides infrastructure and facilities beyond what is normally deemed acceptable.”

He added that Bradford Civic Society plans to host a public meeting in the summer to discuss the City Village development in more detail.

Oastler Market is due to close when the new Darley Street Market opens. The building will be demolished and replaced with homes under the City Village plan.

Last year, Bradford Council announced it had bought the Kirkgate Shopping Centre. Anchor tenant Primark will move to The Broadway, and Kirkgate demolished. New city centre green space and homes would be built on this site.

The car parks off Westgate would become an extension to the Chain Street housing scheme.